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5 Ways Taking Breaks Can Help Productivity

Jamie Florio • Sep 20, 2022

5 Ways Taking Breaks Can Help Productivity: "But, how can it? I'm drowning in work; I can't afford it." Yes, you can. And you should.

The ambivalence surrounding work breaks! Do we indulge? Or are we just being straight-up lazy? To endure guilt or to "Excelsior!" through it? We need a definition. What is a break? Is it an excuse or a physiological need? Or perhaps a mental one? Breaks weigh heavy on us, and it's for a good reason. We are hardwired to perceive work as a continuum; we are what we contribute, and if, by any chance, we feel a sudden urge to take a sharp left and vanish for a moment, our entire professional image might suffer grave consequences. We were idle, indecisive, anxious, and blatantly absent. And, indeed. How do we justify the lack of vigor, the stillness? To indulge in a break equals doing absolutely nothing. - to an untrained eye, at least. The truth is, they are an absolute must. Let's take a look at 5 ways taking breaks can help productivity.

You snooze, you lose

The perpetual leitmotif behind the modern business scheme. Most of us fear being left behind, missing out on opportunities, or, worst case scenario - we fear being overtaken by someone more vigilant than us. In order to avoid the potential dangers and catastrophes, we overwork ourselves to mental death; we become meerkats, human radars, blood, sweat, and tears machinery, working tirelessly out of sheer trepidation, especially when faced with an influx of younger generations. The audacity! - Is teetering on the edge of a breakdown considered a hobby? Or are we actually going to do something about the impending burnout? Scientific fact: periodic breaks are good for you. You and your work. Let's do this.

1. Physical health +

We all know the relentless sitting hours too well, a looming predator preying on our health's soft spots. No matter how ergonomic and cutting-edge our chair may be, being still for countless hours on end can have detrimental effects on our overall health - from our bones to our metabolism. Working becomes a comfortable (and exceptionally stealthy) growing ailment. Eyesight, obesity, cardiovascular diseases (heart problems), mood disorders, diabetes. The list goes on. With the infamous remote era slowly coming to an end (for some), the question remains: How do we get the much-needed stretch (minus the remote PJ outfit)? Just get moving. Taking a break every 60 minutes, getting up, and walking for a minute or two can do wonders for your back, eyesight, and metabolism. + it gets the happy hormones going. The office strut - highly recommended.

2. Stress cleanser

Breaks are for everyone - bankers, stay-at-home moms, street artists, dentists, NFL players. There is no difference; the need to reset and alleviate deposits of accumulated stress is what we have in common. In the eyes of work-related stress, we are all equal. A break is a lethargy crusher, no matter how minimal your physical movement may appear to others. The name of the game, whether it be 30 minutes or 3 hours (depending on your job description) - LIFT ME UP. Do something different. Find your mood booster. Engage in an activity that will cancel out the commotion. Introverted people tend to gravitate toward seclusion (if working in a human beehive) - so take a walk outside, listen to music, and grab a table for one. Extroverts enjoy socializing, texting a friend, and sitting down for a quick coffee. Many find commercial moving to be the ultimate stress-inducing act. There's a cure, though; no need to panic. When in need, moving experts can take care of it. Stress-free.

3. Motivation: restored

"Time is money" - all the motivation we'll ever need, right? Wrong. The more we chase it, the more elusive it gets. Motivation, just like pretty much anything else regarding human nature, is not a servant of the continuum. Riding the prolific wave will get us only so far. Taking breaks can help productivity; it can and it will, but only if we embrace the rule of mental restoration. Our brain is not a tireless machine yearning to be exploited until the vanishing point. Prolonged periods of work time without taking a break will, inevitably, suck you dry. Don't let it. Without the necessary energy, your motivation is bound to hibernate until further notice. Long-term projects are especially dangerous when it comes to burnout. Taking short but frequent breaks will replenish your creative energy levels. Don't let FOMO (yes, the fear of missing out is ever-present) stop you from rebooting your immaculate mind.

4. Decision-making: level PRO

Breaks are a thing of intellectual beauty. Now, let's evoke a random day at work. It's riddled with decision-making, no matter how seemingly insignificant. Information overload 8-10 hours, straight. Without indulging in healthy breaks, we risk poor judgment, as our reasoning deteriorates due to incoming sensory stimuli. - a perpetual treadmill of tasks. Our willpower shrivels, and weariness sets in. All we want is for everything to go away. We become hasty, even reckless, when making an important call, followed by procrastination and mental fog. Breaks make the jigsaw fall into place. Experts from divinemoving.com suggest: It's important to know when to take a break. If you're in the "flow," don't interrupt it, as your productivity is already peaking.

5. Productivity +++

Fully charged. Taking care of your physical and mental health is essential; your entire professional performance rides on the two paramount factors. If you deprive yourself of necessary breaks, exhaustion and stress will stick to you like glue. (the kind you call 911 for) Our office space, too, affects our productivity; but not many of us get to choose our work environment. The creative duct, our productivity channel, can only be replenished by exercising self-care. According to research, people who take regular breaks are more engaged and have better overall performance. Scientists have also found that breaks improve memory and learning capacities. (and, to our great astonishment- they're actually pro power naps! If the conditions seem favorable, we wholeheartedly recommend it)

Final thoughts

So, yes, taking breaks can help productivity, but, more importantly, it can be a great mood booster. Taking care of our physical and mental health should always come first, no matter how important our work is. It can wait.

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Portable Office Essentials for Working on the Go

By Jamie Florio • 02 May, 2024

Portable Office Essentials for Working on the Go If you want to maintain your work efficiency anywhere, portable office essentials for working on the go are required! These compact yet powerful tools are designed to keep you efficient and organized, whether traveling for business or working remotely from a coffee shop. From lightweight laptops to noise-canceling headphones, there are plenty of things to pick up! Choosing the right bag Bags are one of the most important portable office essentials for working on the go. They are the cornerstone of your mobile workspace, accommodating all your essential tools and gear while offering convenience and comfort. Here’s what to look for: Versatility stands out as a primary consideration, so look for a bag that seamlessly transitions between various environments and occasions, be it a bustling airport terminal or a crowded coffee shop. Ample storage space and organizational features are non-negotiables since they ensure your laptop, tablet, documents, and peripherals can be neatly stowed away and easily accessed when needed. Durability is another critical factor, as your bag must withstand the wear and tear of daily commutes and frequent travel. Robust materials, reinforced stitching, and quality construction contribute to a bag's longevity and reliability. Comfort plays a role, too, particularly if you anticipate long hours of wear. Lightweight laptop or tablet Opting for a lightweight laptop or tablet is great for maximizing productivity on the go, allowing you to take full advantage of virtual offices . These portable devices offer flexibility and convenience, enabling seamless transitions between different work environments. Whether catching up on emails during your commute or participating in virtual meetings from a coffee shop, a lightweight laptop or tablet provides the versatility to stay connected and productive. With long battery life and powerful processing capabilities, these devices empower you to tackle tasks efficiently and effectively, no matter where you are. Besides, their compact size makes them easy to carry around, enhancing your mobility and flexibility. Portable chargers and power banks Portable chargers and power banks are indispensable accessories for modern professionals on the move, providing uninterrupted productivity wherever you go. These compact devices provide a reliable power source for your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. With them, you never have to worry about running out of battery during crucial moments! With fast-charging capabilities and high-capacity batteries, portable chargers and power banks offer quick and efficient charging solutions. Finally, their lightweight and portable design makes them easy to carry in your bag or pocket, making them ideal companions for travel, outdoor adventures, or simply navigating a busy day. Wireless mouse and keyboard Wireless mouse and keyboard setups offer convenience and flexibility for remote workers and digital nomads alike. With no cables to tether you to your device, you can enjoy freedom of movement and decluttered workspaces. These ergonomic peripherals also provide a comfortable typing and navigation experience, reducing strain on your wrists and fingers. Besides being compatible with various devices and easily connected via Bluetooth or USB receivers, wireless mice and keyboards seamlessly integrate into workflow, allowing seamless transitions between tasks! Noise-canceling headphones With advanced technology that actively reduces ambient noise, noise-canceling headphones create a serene and immersive listening experience, allowing you to concentrate on your tasks without interruption. Whether working in a bustling office, noisy cafe, or on a crowded plane, noise-canceling headphones provide a sanctuary of tranquility, enabling you to escape into your work with clarity and precision. Likewise, many models offer superior sound quality, delivering crisp audio and deep bass for an enjoyable listening experience. Of course, comfort is also key, with soft padding and adjustable headbands guaranteeing long-term wearability without discomfort. Portable Wi-Fi hotspot With a portable hotspot, you can avoid the stress of hunting down a solid internet connection! This way, you can maintain seamless productivity no matter your location. These compact devices also create a secure Wi-Fi network you can connect to with your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. That can be particularly valuable if you’re handling important documents and don’t want to take risks! Multiport USB hub A multiport USB hub is a must-have accessory for expanding your device connectivity options and simplifying your portable office setup. You can connect devices like external hard drives, flash drives, and peripherals like mice and keyboards with USB ports. This versatile hub eliminates the need for constantly swapping cables and allows you to keep all your devices connected simultaneously! Naturally, this will eliminate hassle and boost your productivity and efficiency. Travel-friendly desk accessories Travel-friendly desk accessories are great for enhancing your portable office setup and improving your workspace efficiency. These compact and versatile accessories include cable organizers, laptop stands, and portable desk lamps. Obviously, they’re all designed to optimize your workspace for productivity on the go! Cable organizers keep your cables neatly organized and tangle-free, preventing clutter and confusion. A portable laptop stand provides ergonomic support, reducing strain on your neck and shoulders during long work sessions. Meanwhile, a portable desk lamp offers adjustable lighting options, providing optimal visibility and reducing eye strain in any environment. So, equip yourself with these essential accessories and take your portable office setup to the next level! Cloud storage solutions With cloud storage, you can easily access your files from any device with an internet connection! These platforms also offer robust security features to protect your data from unauthorized access, including encryption and multi-factor authentication. Similarly, cloud storage solutions provide seamless collaboration capabilities, allowing multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously. They even track changes in real time! Lastly, with scalable storage options and flexible pricing plans, you can customize your cloud storage solution to meet your budget. Portable scanner or scanner app A portable scanner or scanner app is incredibly useful for digitizing documents and streamlining your workflow on the go. These handy tools allow you to quickly and easily scan documents, receipts, and business cards. With a scanner app, you can transform your phone into a powerful scanning tool, eliminating the need for bulky equipment. Of course, specialized scanners offer additional features such as automatic document feeding and high-resolution scanning capabilities, improving scan quality and accuracy. Still, whether you're digitizing important paperwork while traveling or capturing meeting notes on the fly, a portable scanner or scanner app provides the flexibility and convenience you need to stay organized and productive! Flexible storage solutions If you’re constantly on the move and change locations every few months, you need flexible storage solutions. After all, you can’t carry too much with you by plane or train. In this case, working with PortaBox Storage Seattle is a great idea. This moving and storage company can deliver a portable storage unit at your current location and then hold on to it for you until you reach your destination. Finally, they ship the unit to your new location. How convenient is that? Taking advantage of portable office essentials for working on the go With our list of portable office essentials for working on the go, you can improve your daily life. By equipping yourself with tools like compact laptops, noise-canceling headphones, and portable chargers, you'll be well-prepared to tackle tasks from anywhere! Whether you're a digital nomad or a remote worker, these essentials ensure will help you stay productive and efficient no matter where your adventures take you!