- There are reports suggesting that how you take breaks may have a positive effect on work concentration.
- The evidence score is 28, and reliability is very limited.
- This information is useful for people considering how to take breaks and refresh during work.
How you take breaks refers to rest taken by temporarily pausing activity between periods of work.
It is generally treated as something carried out within the work process for the purpose of physical and mental recovery.
What effect does briefly stopping work have on subsequent tasks? Research has been reported showing that how breaks are taken may have a positive effect on work concentration (4 studies, reliability very limited).
One study investigated short breaks taken briefly during work (micro-breaks: short breaks of a few minutes taken between tasks). This was a study using experience sampling (a method that records mood and behavior at specific moments in daily life) over 2 weeks, involving 71 call center employees. The results suggested that relaxation, social interaction, or cognitive micro-breaks increased positive emotion during work, which may in turn have been linked to sales performance. In other words, small breaks may change one's state of mind.
On the other hand, in a study examining continued periods of sitting, there is also a report finding no change in sustained attention. This study, involving 20 office workers, examined the effects of prolonged desk work. It is thought that the way concentration is affected differs depending on the content and manner of the break.
Let's look at what specific types of breaks have been studied. A small-scale study involving healthcare workers reported that short periods of exercise are related to improved attention.
This study was conducted using a randomized controlled trial (a reliable research method that randomly divides participants to compare effects). It involved 27 healthcare workers, and examined a condition of exercising for 10 minutes, 3 times a week. As a result, it was shown to be related to improvements in functions such as the ability to select relevant information and the ability to carry out tasks in an orderly manner. In other words, taking a break involving physical movement may also affect how the mind is used.
Research has also been conducted on breaks incorporating mindfulness meditation (a practice of directing attention to the present moment), which aims at mental refreshment.
Whether how you spend break time affects outcomes has also been examined. It has been suggested that short mindfulness meditation during a break increases feelings of work recovery and calm.
In a study involving 38 nurses, the tendency observed when meditation was incorporated was examined in comparison with an ordinary break. As a result, there are reports of an increase in the sense of recovery from work through breaks, with a positive effect on subsequent calmness and energy level. However, results also show that the effect of preventing a decline in attention was limited to cases with certain constraints. In other words, results are thought to differ depending on the person and the environment.
| Study | Design | Number of Participants | Duration | Main Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Journal of applied psychology (2018, PMID:29595289) | Other study design | 71 | 14 days | A positive effect was reported |
| Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology (2024, PMID:38921638) | Randomized controlled trial (RCT) | 27 | Not reported | A positive effect was reported |
| Workplace health & safety (2024, PMID:39193842) | Other study design | 38 | Not reported | A positive effect was reported |
| International journal of environmental research and public health (2018, PMID:30087262) | Other study design | 20 | Not reported | No clear association was found |
The total number of participants was 156, made up of 71 call center employees, 27 healthcare workers, 38 nurses (both geriatric-care nurses and hospital nurses), and 20 office workers.
Because a variety of occupations are included among the research subjects, this can serve as a reference point for checking whether your own work environment and situation are close to those studied.
There are 4 studies, and the reliability of the information is shown to be very limited.
Regarding study design, only 1 is a randomized controlled trial (RCT), with the rest using other methods.
In addition, a study involving office workers reported no change in sustained attention, showing that results vary.
How does the way you take breaks affect work concentration?
Research has been reported showing that how breaks are taken has a positive effect on work concentration. However, its reliability is very limited.
What kinds of break-taking methods have been examined?
Taking short mindfulness meditation during breaks and doing 10 minutes of exercise 3 times a week have been examined. These are reported to be related to improved attention.
Does how you take breaks produce the same result in every situation?
A study involving office workers reported no change in sustained attention. Results may differ depending on occupation and other factors.
How you take breaks may be related to work concentration. This investigation has an evidence score of 28, and with only 4 underlying studies, reliability should be noted as very limited. Because results may differ from person to person, please use this as a reference for finding a break style that suits you. Why not use a self-check assessment to reflect on your current situation?