The Importance Of Taking Breaks At Work

Most of us spend the majority of our day at our desks, staring at computer screens. This is not good for our neck, eyes, back...or just about everything. While we know it's not good for us to sit at our desks all day or work continuously without a break, many of us still do it. Breaks, even just five minutes at a time, are one of the best things you can do physically and mentally during your workday.

Here are some benefits of stepping away from your workspace throughout the day:

Refreshes our attention span and concentration. The attention span for adults is anywhere from 15 to 40 minutes. Stepping away from your desk several times throughout the day allows our brain to regroup and get back on track.

Lowers our body mass index. According to the Center for Disease Control, getting up and moving around for even 5 minutes every hour can help lower your BMI. Every little bit of movement helps.

Lowers the risk of on-the-job accidents. Exhaustion and fatigue are one of the top 10 causes of on-the-job accidents. According to the CDC, regular breaks prevent such mishaps and keep these accidents to a minimum.

Keeps our eyes happy and healthy. If you're constantly staring at a computer screen, you run the risk of suffering from computer vision syndrome. This can result in blurred vision, headaches, eye strain, adn even pain in the neck and shoulders. Taking your eyes away from your computer every 2 hours for 15 minutes will help keep your eyes, head, and neck feeling good.

Reduces stress. For many of us, work is our #1 source of stress. Allowing ourselves to step away, recharge, and relax can drastically lower stress levels. Breaks are simply the best way to prevent burnout.