{"id":18035,"date":"2022-10-11T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-10T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=18035"},"modified":"2022-11-02T12:48:37","modified_gmt":"2022-11-02T11:48:37","slug":"microbreaks-may-help-to-prevent-workplace-burnout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/2022\/10\/11\/microbreaks-may-help-to-prevent-workplace-burnout\/","title":{"rendered":"Microbreaks may help to prevent workplace burnout"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

MICROBREAKS MAY HELP TO PREVENT WORKPLACE BURNOUT<\/h2>\n\n

Walking and stretching are particularly effective ways to use your break <\/p>\n\n

Short conversations that aren\u2019t work-related \u2013 so-called \u2018water cooler moments\u2019 \u2013 can be a welcome break from everyday office life. Now, a new meta-analysis published in the journal PLOS One, <\/em>has pulled together evidence to look at whether short microbreaks could help with workplace wellbeing. <\/p>\n\n

A team of scientists at Romania\u2019s West University of Timi\u0219oara (WUT) examined data from 22 studies from the past 30 years to find out whether the type of activity a person engages in during a 10-minute microbreak from tasks can affect their overall mood. <\/p>\n\n

Tasks varied between the featured experiments, and included work simulations, work-related assignments or cognitive tests. After the tasks, the participants took a 10-minute microbreak, where they could enjoy activities like stretching, walking, watching videos, or just relaxing. The microbreak sometimes involved things like helping a colleague, or some other work-related activity. <\/p>\n\n

The researchers discovered that, when it came to assessing whether the break had a positive or negative effect on an individual\u2019s mood, the activity engaged in during the break was an important factor. <\/p>\n\n

Participants found the breaks where they carried out exercise to be particularly helpful. The authors noted that \u201cphysical activities such as stretching and exercise were associated with increased positive emotions and decreased fatigue\u201d. <\/p>\n\n

But if the microbreak activity involved helping a colleague or something else work-related, it led to negative emotions, decreased wellbeing and worse sleep quality. <\/p>\n\n

Overall, the data appears to support the role of microbreaks for boosting wellbeing of workers and reducing fatigue, but there was insufficient evidence to suggest that microbreaks improve job performance. <\/p>\n\n

With today\u2019s employees experiencing burnout, long hours and ever-increasing workloads, microbreaks could offer a way to improve happiness. So go on, get that kettle on! <\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
\n

WHAT IS BURNOUT? <\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
When taking a 10-minute break from the daily grind, try not to get roped into work-related tasks. Instead, relax, or do some gentle exercise<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines burnout as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It results in three effects: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Feelings of depletion or exhaustion <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Increased mental distance from one\u2019s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one\u2019s job <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Reduced professional efficacy <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It should not be applied to other, non-work-related aspects of life, and is not classified as a medical condition, the WHO says. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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