Gimme a break!

And give yourself one too! Dan Pink is a well-known author who wrote a book entitled When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. When examines research about how we make our decisions about when to do things. It focuses specifically on the timing of our work day. 

Pink says that we make the erroneous assumption that our energy levels are static throughout the day. The science says otherwise: our energy levels wax and wane depending on our morning/night person orientation and the tasks we need to do. He encourages us to pay attention to how the "flow" of our day moves depending on whether we are morning people, what he calls "larks" or evening people, what he calls "owls", and to choose the right tasks to do based on our energy levels.

He also discusses the science behind taking breaks. He discusses his formula for a great break in this video, but here's the short version.

• Breaks taken with other people are more restorative. Research shows this even for people who are introverted. 
• If you can get moving, that is better than being still. You don't have to do a full workout, just some type of movement of your body.
• Being outside in nature is more restorative than inside breaks.
• You should be fully detached from work when you are taking a break. That means putting your phone away, not checking in with email, and not discussing work even if you go for a walk with your co-worker. 

So, my challenge today is to take a break...a REAL one. Your mind, your body, AND your work will thank you!

Let me know about your breaks this week in the comments.