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7 Strategies to Maximize a Break While Working From Home

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7 Strategies to Maximize a Break While Working From Home

by on March 2, 2021

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For so many of us, a break from staring at our desktop display means… staring at our phone. We’ll watch YouTube, scroll through Twitter, or catch the latest SNL cold open. It’s fun, but then we turn back to… another screen. Instead, try something that feels 180 degrees different from work. Move your body, get outside, or both. No need to change, shower, or make it a big production. Even just a cuddle session with your cat can make a difference.

We could all use a break. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, for many of us, work now takes place at home. On the upside, that means zero commute and easy access to the pantry for unlimited handfuls of Cheez-its.

Unfortunately, though, it also probably means you’re logged on for longer periods of time and not getting the same downtime or face time you would at the office. Taking a stroll to fill up your water bottle in the office kitchen or spending a few minutes rehashing Queer Eye with Gabrielle from HR just aren’t part of your new 9-to-5.

Add endless Zoom meetings, question-mark-above-your-head emails, demanding bosses, guilt, and quite possibly, bored kids on their umpteenth week of quarantine (though that’s an entirely different blog post!), and it’s hard to even consider taking a break. We eat a quick lunch, scarfing down a peanut butter sandwich before signing into our next video call, and consider a powerwalk around the block a luxury.

On the other hand, even if we value and prioritize breaks, sometimes they go off the rails, unintentionally shape-shifting into a momentum-killing two-hour online search for hand sanitizer, one more round of Snake vs Block, or Buzz-Feed quizzes.

Stopping to stare out the window or cuddle with your dog can feel lazy, guilt-inducing, willpower-taxing, or logistically impossible. However, done right, breaks can boost focus, recharge your batteries, and make you more productive, not to mention happier.

How to do it right? Should we meditate, knock out some burpees, thumb through a few Instagram stories, stare out the window, text a friend, or none of the above? Here are seven ways to make those few minutes really count.

Tip #1 : The basics: any break is better than no break.

For anyone who’s so overscheduled that lunch consists of wolfing down cold pizza in front of the open fridge, let’s make clear that taking a break—any break—is better than powering through. After all, how much productivity do you realistically get out of that fifth straight hour of studying for your calculus exam? Taking any break, whether it’s quiet or loud, mindless or mindful, is likely better than nothing.

Tip #2: Take a break that feels different from your work.

Tip #3: If your breaks frequently go off the rails, take breaks that keep you in a work mindset.

Does “just five minutes of TikTok” morph into three hours? If your breaks frequently go off the rails, do something quick and easy that’s not work-related but keeps you in a productive mindset. Check off something from your personal to-do list like unloading the dishwasher or getting your Instacart shopping done. It feels like you’re getting something done, even if it’s not the big thing with the looming deadline you’re supposed to be working on.

When we do these things to avoid our work, this is called productive procrastination, but the very same types of tasks—productive but easy things like sorting the mail or searching online for open parks with ample parking—can also be perfect for taking a break. Productive tasks that don’t require much brainpower but still provide contrast to your work can downshift your gears without
taking you out of a work mindset.

Tip #4: Take a microbreak.

A break doesn’t have to be elaborate or lengthy. Especially if you’re trying not to break momentum, an under-a-minute microbreak might be just what you need.

Tip #5: Trade the mid afternoon slump for a morning break.

A break doesn’t have to be elaborate or lengthy. Especially if you’re trying not to break momentum, an under-a-minute micro break might be just what you need.

Tip #6: Don’t break flow.

As great as breaks are, you don’t need to follow your Pomodoro timer slavishly. If your work seems to be doing itself, your ideas are flowing as fast as your adrenaline, or if you’re so absorbed you’ve lost track of time, rock on. Don’t take a
break just because you think you “should.”

The dirty secret about breaks is that it can be hard to get your mojo back, so if you’re happily chugging along, there’s no need to step on the brakes.

Tip #7: But when it’s time to rest, rest like you mean it.

After your work is over, rest like you mean it. If your work week keeps you tethered to your email, dare to leave it behind on the weekend, or at least until Sunday night. Use evenings and weekends to put away your to-do list, do activities that take you out and away from work completely, and see friends and family.

Here’s another way to think about it: Be inspired by your cat or dog. When they rest, they rest full-on. They don’t check email or think about Monday morning. They find a sunny spot and rest like it’s the only thing on the agenda. Because it is.

If you would like to talk, feel free to reach out to us. An LifeWorks therapist would be able to help.

Harpreet Saini

Consultant Psychologist - English, Hindi & Punjabi

CDA Licensed Psychologist - 13+ Years

Dr. Mohammed Fried Ahmed

Clinical Psychologist - Arabic

PHD Psychotherapy - 6+ Years

Khansa Abd Almalik

Clinical Psychologist - Arabic

PHD Psychotherapy - 6+ Years

Prerna Siroya

Counselling Psychologist - English & Hindi

CDA Licensed Psychologist - 4+ Years

Dina Alqedra

Clinical Psychologist - Arabic & English

DHA Licensed Psychologist - 6+ Years

Nuzhat Basheer

Consultant psychologist - English, Hindi & Tamil

CDA Licensed Psychologist, M.Sc. in Psychology - 10+ Years

Vidushi Sukam

Consultant Psychologist - English, Hindi & Punjabi

CDA Licensed Psychologist | RCI Licensed Rehabilitation Psychologist - 13+ Years

Olena Taleski

Counselling Psychologist - English and Russian

Master Degree in Psychology - 13+ Years

Simrah Hamdulay

Consultant psychologist - English and Hindi

CDA Licensed Psychologist, MSc in Child and Adolescent Psychology - 3+ Years

Javaria Zahra

Counselling Psychologist - English, Urdu and Hindi

MD/ MS/ MPhil in Applied Psychology - 16+ Years

Fatima Altaf

Counselling Psychologist - Urdu, Hindi and English

Msc. Psychology - 8+ Years

Aarhie Kaushik

Clinical Psychologist - English & Hindi

Msc. Psychology - 8+ Years

Dr. Febna Moorkath

Psychiatric Social Worker - English & Malayalam

PhD & M.Phil in Psychiatric Social Work - 10+ Years

Dr. Fatemeh Abdi

Clinical Psychologist - English and Persian

PhD. in Psychology - 20+ Years

Dr. Azizreza Ghasemzadehi

Counselling Psychologist - Farsi & English

PhD in Psychology & Education of Exceptional Children - 20+ Years

Saima Khan

Clinical Psychologist - English, Urdu, Punjabi & Pashto

Ph.D. Scholar in Clinical Psychology - 6 Years

Kinan Ali

Counselling Psychologist - Arabic and English

PhD. in Psychology - 6 Years

Dr. Abdelaziz Osman

Consultant Psychiatrist - Arabic and English

MD, AB, Msc, Cert - 20+ Years

Naeema Ali

Psychologist - Arabic & English

Dr. Naeema Ali trained psychology and social worker students of UAE University. She is actively providing counselling support to cancer patients and their families. She launched an occupational therapy for cancer patients and cognitive behavioural therapy in Tawam.

Due to her continued support in oncology and ongoing support to cancer patients, Naeema received countless awards locally and international to recognize her achievements and skills. She has been invited to participate in various conferences and workshops around the world and invited as a guest speaker in various subjects that covers psychology.

She also joined Al Sayegh Medical Center as a Social Worker, providing comprehensive assessment and treatment services to children and families, in inpatient and/or outpatient settings, and communicates with referral sources as indicated by applying psychometric test, such as IQ Test, MMPI, Wechsler Test for children. Exhibit superior communication skills to uncover complicated mental health issues; develop and recommend treatment plans based on patient needs and diagnosis.

She continued working as a clinical psychologist providing counselling within the multi-cultural environment of the Emirates Airlines for the past 15 years. Her main task is providing mental health support to inflight and ground staff and addresses any problems, anxieties, or job-related stresses that they are dealing with. She uses her findings to help improve processes and behaviors of a patient to maintain a safe environment, to manage stress, overcome trauma, or avoid job-related conflicts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the method Naeema is using to reduce the difficulties, anxieties, and stress that employee faces.

Naeema is also part of “ Shawer ”, the “Seek Our Advice”, and “We Listen To You” program of the Family Development Foundation of Abu Dhabi. The aim of the program was to promote family awareness and support a stable family life. It involves a group of community members who deal with family problems in a positive manner and provide individual and group counseling in social, psychological, and educational areas. They do so in a systematic way according to the needs of community members.

Besides “ Shawer ”, Naeema is also a volunteer of “ Friends of Cancer ” of Sharjah, supporting patients and their families to overcome the multitude psychological difficulties that they are experiencing due to cancer treatment as well as introducing some programs such as health education, self-care and some community programs wherein they can collaborate and share their experiences.

Area of interest:

Psycho-oncology
CBT
Psychometric Assessments
Children, Adults and Family therapy

Qualification and Membership:

Psychology graduation from the University of Wisconsin
Licensed by Community Development Authority

Graduation in Psychology, (Phd) - 30 Years

Dr. Mohammed Bardi

Consultant Psychiatrist - Arabic, English

Dr. Mohammed Bardi M.B.B.S, M.D (Psychiatry) has worked under different capacities in clinical and hospital setups in Saudi, USA, and UAE. He comes with over 15 years of experience in mental health. He specifically worked with cases relating to schizophrenic, bipolar disorder, dual diagnosis, major depressive disorder with suicidal risks, anxiety disorders, Intellectual disabilities, Autistic spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).

Area of interest:

Mood disorders
Anxiety disorders
Improving life skills (social skills, self- esteem, decision making, coping with stress, problem solving, and time management)

Qualification and Membership:

MBBS COLLEAGUE OF MEDICINE, KING SAUD UNIVERSITY 2003 (KKU).
ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY 2007
ANXIETY DISORDERS WORKSHOP (DIPLOMA), 2010
ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA, USA, 2010-2011
ADDICTION RESEARCH AND MATRIX TRAINING, ISAP, UCLA, LOS ANGELES, CA, USA 2014-2015
BACHELOR’S DEGREE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY
ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY
ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA 2011, 2015
BETTY FORD CERTIFICATE, ADDICTION PROGRAM 2010
CDA) Licensed Psychologist

Therapeutic Approach:

At LifeWorks Holistic Counselling Center Dubai, Dr. Bardi works collaboratively within our expert multidisciplinary team, in treating a wide array of psychiatric conditions including:
Anxiety disorders
Substance use disorders
Mood disorders including depression and Bipolar affective disorders
Psychotic disorders (Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders)
Personality disorders
Cognitive disorders including Dementia
Learning disabilities (intellectual disability disorders)
Child and adolescents’ disorders like Separation anxiety disorders, conduct
disorders and ADHD