Ultram….

“One of the best ways to manage workplace stress is to take a break every so often. This means that you should give yourself a short break about every fifteen minutes or so and avail yourself of a break of a few minutes about every hour.

If you have the self-awareness to notice that you are not able to focus completely, you should give your eyes a break and take a quick stretch break in your chair. These breaks should be taken about every fifteen minutes, as they will allow your brain to recover a little bit of energy and allow you to return to the task at hand.

Additionally, every hour, stand up and walk away from your desk. This break should consist of some task not related to work or your desk and it is vital for maintaining concentration and reducing job stress. Go get a soft drink, take a restroom break, or simply walk the halls for about 3-5 minutes.

This will not only give your body a break, it will provide your mind with an opportunity to relax. It is the simple act of doing something mindless that helps your mind. Just like muscles, the brain needs a rest and recovery period in order to get its strength back. Remember, you cannot remain completely focused forever, just like you cannot sprint forever.”

“Understand that no matter how important you are (or feel you are) life will continue (in the office, at home, on the playing field) whilst you enjoy a break.”

I need to procrastinate more!!! :-pp

And the idea of 20 minute break every 90 minute, is not too bad either. I remember when I was in uni, the classes is usually broken up into 1 hour-classes and 2 hour-classes. I remember that for the 2 hour classes, my focus and concentration just deteriorates after 1.5 hours!!

anyway i’m off to work now. you have a very wonderful blog, keep it up!

The basic idea is that every hour and a half or so you need to take a rest break - if you don’t you get tired and lose your mental focus, you tend to make mistakes, get irritable and have accidents. If you continue to ignore your need to take a break you can experience more and more stress until you actually get sick.

When you learn how to recognize your need to take a 20 minute break you can convert your stress into a healing response. Its that wonderful feeling of comfort and well being that you naturally have when you are tired but let yourself have the freedom to take well deserved rest.

Steven be careful with these breaks. Don’t start your reward on the break or anything else, for that matter, that you might use as an excuse to not go back to your homework.