Working from online all day can be exhausting – for your mind, body and eyes. That’s why it’s important to make sure that you have a comfortable workday. Aside from having a proper desk and chair, you also need to have a set time for work, rest, and play. It’s better to take short breaks, and to not look at a screen when you do. But how? We’ve come up with some activities that you can do that aren’t screen-related. These can add a little bit of fun in between your work day. You don’t need a yoga matt – you can just do these around the office.
Maybe don’t do this one right in the middle of the office space. Many ‘work breaks’ suggest doing a bit of yoga, but yoga requires time, commitment and – most importantly – cute leggings. Instead, have a one-legged stretch! It’s good for your muscles, and the balancing part makes it a bit of a challenge. It sounds silly, but sometimes silly is just what you need.
Speaking of silly, it’s time to draw some silly art! You just need a post-it note and a pen. Try to draw something (or someone) in the office using your left hand, and see how it turns out. Using your non-dominant hand forces you to focus more on what you are doing, which helps to train your brain. It also makes you care less about making the end result perfect – you can’t do that anyway!
Aside from resting your eyes, it is also good to get a bit of human contact now and then. Offering your coworker or desk-neighbour a hot beverage lets you get up and move around, and interact with a real person. Doing nice things for other people will also help you feel good about yourself and give you a mood boost for the rest of the day.
Whether it’s serial killers or molecular science, there’s a podcast out there for everyone. The trouble is finding one that’s short enough for your coffee break. Luckily Ranker has a list of best podcasts that are under 10 minutes. Why not learn something completely new? You’ll have something interesting to tell your coworkers.
Have you been wanting to read that new book for a while? Or maybe you want to start writing your memoir? Well now isn’t the time to do that, but it is the time to plan it! Planning out some fun after-work activities can give you a little mid-week boost. You’ll look forward to your downtime and get a fun little planning break at work.
If you’re reading this article during your break, we hope you found it interesting. Now get off the computer and go give your eyes a short rest.
