PA Life readers would choose walking over social media

When the pressure piles on, our readers choose to stroll rather than scroll, according to our latest poll.

Asking our readers on Twitter how they choose to relax when work gets too much, more than half of you would choose to take the time out of the office and get some fresh air. More than one in five would opt for some time online instead however, with 21% preferring to browse social media on a tough day. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing either, according to recent studies that reveal that taking a quick break mid-work to check up on your social life could make you a better worker.

More people are choosing to stay inside at lunch when the work piles on, but taking a break could actually help more than you realise. HR workers are at particular risk of skipping lunch altogether as the pressure mounts, despite evidence that taking a short break could leave feeling more productive and reduce the risk of a burnout.

More than a half of readers revealed that when the going gets tough, the tough get some fresh air; with 57% revealing they’d rather go for a walk than sit in front of a screen. Spending some time in the sun can give workers some much needed peace, as well as vitamin D, giving employees both physical and mental advantages. Having a break away from the glare of the desk is a breath of fresh air to many, but some workers need more social stimulation.

For 14% of readers, going for lunch with their friends is enough to recharge and refocus the mind, and bosses that encourage more social occasions could find themselves with a more productive, positive and loyal workforce.

How do you keep calm when the pressure’s on? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.