How to know when you should take a break

With many worried that taking their mind off their work will reduce concentration and lessen work efficiency, the opposite is true according to talent management expert Richard Moy. Taking the time to step out of the office and breathe in some fresh air could be just the quick fix you need for a boost in productivity, and Moy has listed his top ways to spot when you should take five.

You keep clicking
When spending some time on the internet to fact check or find some work-related information turns into a rabbit hole of viral videos and top ten lists, pull the plug and have a breather. You may think you’re giving yourself enough of a break by putting your work on hold, but you’ll find the break more relaxing and more regulated by taking a quick break away from the screen.

You keep finding conversation
Going to someone else’s desk or finding new topics to bring up with your co-workers is natural and important to maintain a healthy working atmosphere, but spend too long at someone else’s desk and you’ll be surprised how much time you’ve wasted.

You keep avoiding a certain job
When you’ve had a file open on your computer, or a document on your desk all afternoon but you won’t make eye contact, you’ve thought too much about it. Clearing your head and coming back to your desk with a fresh attitude will give you the right mindset to tackle new challenges.

You just want to go home
If the pressure is piling up and there’s no end in sight, sometimes all you want to do is pack it in and call it a day. Although your instinct will be to power through or try and look busy up to the end of the day, taking a break, going for a quick break and getting your thoughts straight will help you meet that deadline with much more determination.

What distraction pitfalls do you fall down at work? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn