WATER COOLER
Take A Better Break At Work
How many times did you check Facebook before you finished that report? Was it more often than running to the break room for a coffee refill? If you thought you checked Facebook more often—well, you would be wrong. Traditional workplace distractions still outpace technological ones, according to a study of 1,000 full-time workers in the U.S.
Of the top eight distractions reported by survey respondents, taking non-lunch breaks to visit the office kitchen/break room/water cooler took up the most time. Using social media for non-work purposes ranked seventh (watching TV on the computer or a mobile device was eighth).
However, the highest ranking time-suck was also believed to be one of the best ways to enhance workplace productivity, according to the survey. The majority of respondents said they felt social media and talking to family members on the phone were the greatest hindrances to productivity at work.
Of course, the mere act of taking a break won’t guarantee better quality work. A study by two Baylor University management professors found that it’s what you do on your break that matters. In the study, participants who performed a preferred activity (one they enjoyed) during breaks reported greater productivity when they returned to work-relevant tasks.
The study also found that mid-morning breaks prove more beneficial to resource recovery; the closer to waking up the participants took a break, the more energy, motivation and concentration they experienced.
