Many of us are busy all the time and just don’t take breaks. Or some of us take breaks, but not at the right intervals. Studies have been done to research how often and for how long the most successful people take breaks.
Ultradian Rhythms?
The US Army research institute discovered that the human body has ultradian rhythms that last 90 minutes. Ultradian rhythems are present while we are awake as well as when we are sleeping.
Take a break regularly!
Research has shown that adult humans think better when they take a break every 50-90 minutes. But, how long should the break be? One article I read said 17 minutes. But, what should you do on this break?
About me…
Personally, I take breaks all the time and work round the clock. I start around noon and work late into the night. Many overachievers have found that it is easier to get work that requires deep thinking done while others are sleeping. There are less distractions, less noise, less interruptions, and the atmosphere has less mental static as well if you can embrace that theory. I’ll typically watch television, take a walk, get a massage, or have dinner during my breaks. But, am I breaking wrong? Research is telling me I need 17 minute breaks. What could I possibly do for 17 minutes? That is too long to nap and if I dose off too short to sleep?
Google?
I saw a movie about Google‘s educational campus, and they had little sleep pods. Aparently Google got it early on that napping and game time are an important part of keeping an innovative mind sharp. They had pool tables in their office, lots of community space, and weird games that they played outside. I thought it was really cool to see all of the innovations and weird words they came up with.
Your Employees?
I hope that bosses read my blog because it is written from the perspective of an entrepreneur or a boss of a very small company. But, as a boss, you need to make sure your workers are getting enough break time. You need to enforce scheduling of breaks and have cool stuff to do that your staff will appreciate. Why not have a samosa break? If you are in India you are probably already doing this! But, be disciplined about when you have it. Then, have a wild-card break where it is unpredictable what you are going to do. You can have a nap break, a lunch break, a take a walk around the block break, and meet new people break. The important thing is not what you do, but making sure the break is exactly 17 minutes. Or, perhaps that is not important. Experiment and you tell me!
The most successful people
The high achievers do not burn out. They don’t because they find ways of creating balance in their life and keeping their passion strong. If you are to survive a grueling schedule and tough tasks, you need to stay healthy, eat right, exercise, take breaks, and balance your life. Try different approaches, but make this a priority, because not breaking enough can ruin your career and your company.