Before Breakfast Second Cup: Take a better break today
Sep 14, 2025
Discover the power of intentional breaks to boost your productivity and well-being. Learn how structured downtime can rejuvenate your workday, contrasting it with mindless distractions. Explore practical strategies to optimize your breaks, making them a blend of relaxation and enjoyment. Planning your downtime can transform your routine, keeping you balanced and energized for whatever tasks lie ahead.
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Fast-Food Shift Example
- Laura Vanderkam recalls working in a fast food restaurant with scheduled breaks during an eight-hour shift stretched over nine hours.
- She uses this example to show how some jobs formally structure breaks and how workers stagger them to keep operations running.
Unnoticed Breaks Steal Time
- Unplanned interruptions often become long, unrecognized breaks that fail to rejuvenate you.
- Acknowledging these moments reveals you're already taking breaks and can reclaim control over them.
Schedule A 10–15 Minute Boost
- Intentionally schedule a 10–15 minute break, ideally during mid-afternoon when focus dips.
- Do something energizing like a quick walk, stairs, tea with a colleague, or reading a book.