INTRODUCTION – LOWER STRESS LEVELS BY TAKING BREAKS
Employees often face significant stress in the rapidly demanding environments that characterise modern workplaces. While moderate stress can spur productivity, unrelenting stress can be detrimental, affecting performance and overall emotional health and wellbeing. One critical tool to alleviate this stress, often overlooked, is the power of regular breaks. This article explores how to lower stress levels by taking breaks.
UNDERSTANDING STRESS – THE BODY’S RESPONSE TO PRESSURE
At its core, stress is our body’s natural response to perceived threats or high-pressure situations. Our body triggers the “fight or flight” response, leading to a release of stress hormones, notably cortisol. This response can prove beneficial in acute situations, providing the necessary alertness and energy. However, when this stress becomes chronic, it can precipitate a host of health and wellbeing issues, including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, and hypertension.
THE ROLE OF RELAXATION IN STRESS REGULATION
Relaxation functions as a potent solution to stress. By activating the body’s “rest and digest” response, relaxation techniques help lower heart rate, decrease blood pressure, and slow breathing rate. These physiological changes contribute significantly to the reduction of overall stress levels and adopt a more balanced, calm emotional state.
REGULAR BREAKS – A GATEWAY TO RELAXATION
Incorporating regular breaks throughout your workday can create valuable opportunities for relaxation. These intervals, which can be as short as five minutes, provide the necessary pause to employ relaxation techniques, acting as a buffer against accumulating stress. Activities during these breaks can range from a brisk walk in the open air, engaging in deep-breathing activity, to enjoying a soothing cup of herbal tea.
STRESS AND PRODUCTIVITY – THE INVERSE RELATIONSHIP
Despite popular belief that stress propels productivity, chronic stress can actually impair cognitive functions, leading to decreased concentration, memory problems, and difficulties in decision-making. Consequently, regular breaks can help maintain optimal productivity levels by keeping stress levels under control, thereby enhancing focus and cognitive understanding.
PHYSICAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING BENEFITS OF LOWERED STRESS
Lower stress levels confer benefits that extend beyond our emotional state. Reduced stress translates into many physical health and wellbeing benefits, including lower blood pressure, improved sleep quality, a strong immune response, and a reduced risk of heart disease. Thus, the act of taking regular breaks at work can contribute significantly to overall health and wellbeing.
INCORPORATING BREAKS – BUILDING A STRESS-FREE WORK ROUTINE
Creating a work routine that seamlessly incorporates regular breaks may seem challenging initially. However, with conscious planning, discipline, and an understanding of your stress patterns, frequent breaks can become an integral part of your workday. They serve as regular checkpoints, helping you manage and mitigate stress proactively.
THE POWER OF MINDFULNESS DURING BREAKS
During breaks, practising mindfulness can significantly enhance the stress-relieving benefits. Mindfulness, characterised by being fully present and engaged with the task, can be incorporated into your break. It could involve mindfully savouring your lunch, soaking in the sounds of nature, or immersing yourself in calming music.
CREATING A STRESS-RESILIENT WORK CULTURE
Employers hold an essential role in curating a stress-resilient work culture. By nurturing policies that encourage regular breaks and providing training on effective stress management techniques, they can create a happier, more harmonious work environment where employees can thrive without feeling overwhelmed.
CONCLUSION – LOWER STRESS LEVELS FOR A HAPPIER LIFE
In our demanding work environments, stress management is paramount. Regular breaks offer a simple yet effective strategy to counter workplace stress. Adopting this habit leads to a calmer, more balanced emotional state, contributing to overall health and wellbeing.