When you work for yourself, you very quickly learn that the adage of “time is money” is very true. The more efficiently you’re able to use your time, the more money you will be able to earn in a given day. You can take on more projects and build a better portfolio of work.
If you’re in a busy period and want to earn as much as possible, it might seem smart to skip breaks and focus on work. After all, the more time you spend focusing on work, the better, right?
Well, not necessarily. Taking regular breaks can actually improve your productivity and is generally much better for your wellbeing.
Breaks Prevent Burnout
One of the most important reasons to take breaks is for your health. If you work without taking any breaks, your physical and mental health will suffer. You’re more likely to become overwhelmed and, in the worst cases, suffer from burnout. This is especially true if you’re traveling as a digital nomad, because you also have to deal with the added exhaustion and stress of travel.
If you’re burned out, you simply can’t work and might be barely able to look after yourself. Burnout is associated with stress and exhaustion, and it can take weeks to recover from. You will be both mentally and physically unable to continue. In a way, it’s like your body is forcing you to rest.
When you’re stressed out and physically tired, you can’t work as effectively as when you’re fresh. Your body and brain need time to recover from working, especially if you’ve already been working for a while. Thankfully, you can kill two birds with one stone.
Even quick breaks can destress your brain and give you a chance to stretch your legs and back. This will allow you to keep working for longer and with a fresher mind.
Breaks Improve Productivity
While breaks reduce the amount of time you spend working, they improve the efficiency of that time. Instead of staring silently at a screen until it times out, you’re able to be more focused while you work.
The best way to improve your productivity is to take regular breaks. This allows your mind to stay active and not get stuck in a rut. You might have found that starting a project is the hardest part, so don’t feel tied to the beginning and end of each project.
When you take breaks, you give your mind a chance to reset, so you can look back at problems with fresh eyes. You might find that, rather than spending an hour hitting your head against an issue, you can work something out more quickly by walking away and having a short break.
So, while you spend less time working, you spend more time productively working.
Scheduling Your Break Times
Some people find it hard to take regular breaks, even if they keep you more comfortable, less stressed, and more productive.
One way to make sure you take breaks at the right time is to add them to your schedule. An organized schedule is the most effective way for freelancers and entrepreneurs to keep track of different projects and clients. You make sure nothing falls through the cracks and that you keep to your deadlines. But a schedule also makes sure that you make time for necessary breaks.
There are a few different ways to schedule break times. Rather than taking breaks before and after milestones, stick to times that your body will appreciate. Experiment to find out a method that works for you.
For example, the pomodoro technique includes short breaks every 25 minutes, then a longer break at 2 hour intervals. But the trick is to find a pattern that works for you.
If you struggle to remember to take your breaks, set a timer. The timer will also incentivise you to focus during work sessions, but means that you know when to stop and take a break when you need to.
Comfort Breaks
So, we know why taking breaks is important and how we can schedule them, but what can we actually do during our breaks?
Let’s start with a comfort break, which can be a short break designed to help you feel more comfortable. The most important thing is to stand up and stretch for a few seconds. Look away from your screen and walk around. Even a minute or so of standing and walking will help you feel more comfortable.
You can also take this time to go to the bathroom, get yourself a drink, or have a quick snack like a piece of fruit. This prevents you from getting uncomfortable in the middle of a work session, because you’ve met your needs.
Even better, you can achieve most of this in a few minutes. So if you’re using a break method that includes short breaks, you can still make yourself comfortable.
Eye strain is a common problem when you work for long periods of time, especially if you’re staring at a screen for too long. You can end up with headaches or neck problems. So one thing to always do is to at least stretch your neck and rest your eyes. The 20/20/20 method suggests that, every 20 minutes, you look at a spot 20 feet away from your screen for 20 seconds. It’s a short stop, but it really helps.
Sometimes it’s also good to have a short conversation with someone who has nothing to do with your work. If there’s someone with you, great. If not, consider texting or ringing someone. Social interaction is a need to.
Gaming During Your Breaks
Another good way to refresh your mind is to completely change gear and play a game. This switches your brain onto another way of thinking, which can help you solve problems when you get back to work.
Puzzle games are a fantastic option, because they keep your mind active and are very quick. You can play something like online spider solitaire within a few minutes, and it keeps you entertained while distracted.
The important thing is to balance gaming with your comfort and with your timing. It’s best to wait for a longer break before picking up even a short puzzle game, because this gives you time to stretch your legs and look away from a screen for a moment.
Other games that allow for short play sessions might be ideal for your breaks. Or, if you prefer to take longer breaks, it’s fine to settle in for a couple of hours of gaming. In this case, make sure to still take brief comfort breaks, especially when it’s time to get back to work.
Walking in Nature
If you have the chance to take a longer break, one of the best things you can do with your time is to go for a walk outside. Walking in nature is proven to be good for your mental and physical health, and it gives you the quiet time you need to reset your brain. Also, the exercise is good for your cardiovascular health and can release endorphins to make you feel happier.
Taking a break isn’t just about relaxing, although a walk in the park can be relaxing for some people. It’s about a change of pace that allows you to be more productive and happier while you work.
If you have a dog, this is also a good time to make sure your furry friend doesn’t feel neglected and doesn’t get anxious. This means that your dog will be more content and more likely to sleep while you work, so you can focus when you need to.
Household Chores
While it doesn’t sound like much of a break, work breaks might be the ideal opportunity to get some household chores done. As said before, breaks are as much about switching the pace and changing what you’re thinking about as they are about resting and relaxing.
A simple household chore kills two birds with one stone. You can rest your mind while getting something done and saving you a job later down the road. Even better, because you’re just taking a break from work, you don’t have to worry about doing hours of chores. Just pick something quick or even start on a task.
This might be a load of laundry that will take five minutes to put in the washing machine. Or you might want to run a vacuum cleaner through one room in your house. You might wash a few dishes or just tidy up a small space. Or, if you’re a fan of meal prepping, you can quickly get things ready to cook for later.
These kinds of tasks will keep you moving for a few minutes, which allows you to stretch your legs after sitting down for work.
But best of all, you won’t have to worry about them after your workday. You can then relax and focus on whatever you want.
