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“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” could be used as a good alibi for anyone who does not like to work; it actually holds some truth. Staying too focused on a job without taking any time for rest can have a negative impact not only on the employee’s performance but on overall health considerations as well. Office space that includes designated break areas encourages employees to take regular breaks during their work day if only for a short time, which can be very beneficial both to the employee and to the employer. Performance Benefits Anyone who has worked through a long shift without a break, whether it is to beat a deadline or simply to impress the boss, knows how mentally draining that can be. Becoming too preoccupied with work often causes a loss of focus or even worse, causes a lack of them fresh ideas. Writers often experience something called “mental block” when trying to write; leaving them without new thoughts with which to write. The same thing can happen to anyone whose jobs require creativity. One effective way to prevent this from happening is by taking short rest periods during the work day. Two short fifteen minute breaks and a thirty minute lunch can keep employees from experiencing “burn out” and keep fresh ideas flowing throughout the work day. The best ideas can come out of nowhere when one is not over-focused on a computer screen in an office space. A short walk in the fresh open air and clearing one’s mind can encourage the development of new concepts or ideas. In the long run, a healthier career can be achieved when not overworked. Typically, such employees can start to feel negative about their place of employment and end up resenting that particular job. Negativity can develop over a period of time and change an employee's job perception. That is why it is important to take breaks and try to spend them socializing and building relationships within the office to create a more positive working atmosphere. Health Benefits Taking regular periods of rest not only affects job performance but can improve overall health as well. Believe it or not, working under pressure to beat deadlines and cramming as much as possible into one day has negative effects on the body. Regular exposure to such stressful situations can lead to a myriad of health problems, both mentally and physically. Stress is a known cause of high blood pressure and short tempers. Staring at a computer for eight hours in a row can also lead to eye strain, headaches, and eventually poor eyesight. All of these health-related problems can be prevented and proper health can be maintained by taking regular breaks. Proper Intervals The right interval between breaks varies depending on the type of task being performed. Typically, most companies offer two fifteen minute breaks and at least a thirty minute lunch during every shift. The first interlude is taken in the first four hours, approximately two hours after the beginning of a shift, followed by a lunch or dinner respite approximately two hours later. The last break is taken sometime in the middle of the remaining four hours, which adds up to a total of one hour for the entire shift. It should be noted that employees who work on computers should take a five-minute break every hour to prevent eye strain. Doing upper body stretching is also advisable to prevent muscle discomfort from limited mobility. Taking a rest period in a comfortable break room that has been provided as part of an office lease is something that can have a positive effect on an employee's health. Not providing employees the proper amount of downtime can potentially hurt productivity as well as the quality of the job being performed. Hopefully this article has effectively highlighted all of the benefits of taking work breaks at well-times intervals! C. Michael Hunter is an expert in commercial real estate and office space information. To find out more about Dallas Office Leases, go to the main website at: http://www.lcrgusa.com/.
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