🏁 Axios Finish Line: Take a break!

Plus: Free gift | Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Walmart   Axios Finish Line By Mike Allen, Erica Pandey and Jim VandeHei ·Dec 13, 2022 Dec 13, 2022 Welcome back! Smart Brevity™ count: 352 words ... 1½ mins.     1 big thing: The outsize power of tiny breaks Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios   Even just 10 minutes to ourselves to recharge and relax can change the day. Why it matters: We underestimate the effect of small and intentional breaks on our well-being. What's happening: When we've been working at something for a while, our minds start to wander. That's when a well-timed and well-planned break can get us back on track — and actually boost productivity. In one study, researchers at the University of Illinois asked participants to perform a 50-minute task on computers. One group had to work without stopping, and another group got two short breaks. Sure enough, the group that worked nonstop saw performance decline by the end, while the group that paused did not. Here are the top tips for planning breaks, based on research: 1. Make sure it's a real break. The most effective breaks are unrelated to work, per a recent analysis published in the journal PLOS ONE. That means pausing work to catch up on a few emails doesn't have the same benefit as stopping to take a short walk and get some air. 2. Time yourself. Microbreaks — lasting 10 minutes at most — work best when it comes to refocusing yourself on the task at hand. Go much longer and you'll lose momentum. Bigger breaks — 15 or 20 minutes — are also important to fully refresh after a longer work session or between larger tasks. 3. Pay better attention. Short breaks are especially helpful when you're doing something repetitive or tedious, researchers have found. Creative work doesn't benefit as much from pauses. The bottom line: Use breaks to boost your mental and physical health no matter what you're doing. And if you're a manager, encourage your employees to take smart breaks! In the long run, they'll be more engaged and more creative. Share this story.     A message from Walmart Walmart is investing $1 billion in career training and development     At Walmart, a first promotion is often just the first of many — 75% of management started as hourly associates. That's just one reason why Walmart was named one of LinkedIn's Top Companies to Grow a Career in 2022. Learn how Walmart's mentorship and training help associates advance in their careers.     🎁 Give the gift of a break Here's a free present idea from Finish Line reader Evelia S.: Gift a busy couple in your life a break by offering to babysit free of charge so they can take a break from parenting and enjoy a date night.   Are you a fan of this email format? Your essential communications — to staff, clients and other stakeholders — can have the same style. Axios HQ, a powerful platform, will help you do it.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: