Hello and welcome to Ask the Expert. Today we'll be talking about the benefits of taking a break to move more, something I like to call brain breaks. My name is Kelsey Ladics and I'm a Graduate Assistant for Employee Health and Wellbeing here at the University of Delaware. In May 2020, I graduated from UD with a major in health behavior science and a minor public health as well as coaching sciences. Now I'm here working on my master's degree in health promotion program at the University of Delaware. Over the years, Health and Fitness have played an important role in my life. I knew I wanted to do something to encourage healthier habits and lifestyle decisions for myself as well as others when I applied for college. Between my coursework and my work in well-being, I have realized how much our environment shapes our activity level. The remote nature of our work now makes it very easy to stay sedentary for eight hours or even more per day. For both our physical health and our mental health. It is so important we give our brain a break throughout the day to recharge our attention, mood, and energy. Employees and students lives were drastically altered over a year ago when they were drawn into this online immersive learning and work life style from the comfort of their own homes. Schedules were disrupted, environments were altered, and social connections seemed to be nonexistent. For many of us, this was our first time working from home. At first you might have been like, Heck, yeah, I get to sleep in, ditch the commute, wear my pajamas and sit on the couch all day. One year later, operating remotely no longer seems all that glamorous. Did you find yourself sitting all day, every day when you started working from home, often missing your daily commute or meeting on the other side of the office to help you get your steps in? You're probably starting to realize how exhausting a sedentary lifestyle can be. What's sitting at your desk all day, glued to your work, it is easy to forget about getting up, moving around, and staying active. Thinking about your typical day, how often do you actually allow yourself to take a break from work-related tasks, to move around. Experts advise taking regular, frequent breaks no matter the task you're working on to avoid burning yourself out. Maintaining a good balance of activity and rest can help you stay healthy and more productive. Studies have found that frequent mini breaks can reduce or prevent stress, help to maintain performance throughout the day and reduce the need for a longer recovery at the end of the day. Additionally, breaks help you remain focused, energized, and engaged in your work, allowing you to complete your tasks more efficiently. Breaks may also improve your mood, overall well-being and performance capacity in both your professional and personal life. If you don't have time for an hour long break in your work day, a series of mini breaks can also have a powerful effect on your body and your mind. For me, brain break have made a huge difference in the quality of my semester. Here are five items that I believe will help you recharge and re-energized during your day. First, get up. Standing often provides a break from sitting. It helps offset some of the problems that can arise from prolonged sitting and ensures you stay in motion. Standing for at least one hour a day will help you burn those extra calories while still maintaining or renewing your energy levels and focus. One idea is to take phone calls or meetings, standing up or walking around. Next, stretch it out. Stretching is not only a great way to take a break and calm your mind, but also to recharge your muscles. Instead of browsing the Internet, try taking a five minute break to stretch. Next step outside to take a walk. If you have time in-between Zoom meetings, take a walk around the block, around the house, getting out of the office and enjoying the warmth of the sun, a cool breeze and the fresh spring air. It will do wonders to your mind and body. You return feeling revitalized and ready to tackle your work with even more energy and a new perspective. For me personally, taking my dogs on short, regular walks throughout my long virtual work day has helped me recharge my mind. Lastly, moving meditation, step away from your desk and into a peaceful space to dedicate some time to relax your body and clear your mind. slow, meaningful breaths and movement during meditation are excellent ways to stay concentrated and grounded during the day. Moving meditation such as yoga, has the potential to reduce work-related anxiety and stress. Be sure to check out Yoga, yoga break and stretch and meditation classes for weekly light movement. Consider a time when you find yourself sitting at your computer for hours on end performing work-related tasks. How did you feel after? Did you feel lethargic and sluggish or energetic and motivated? If your response is lethargic and sluggish, you are not alone. Including these brain breaks presented today, maybe just the thing you need to recharge and reboot your mind and body. So let's get up and get moving throughout your day. Thank you.
Ask the Expert | What are the benefits of taking a break to move more?
From Jessica Pieper May 24, 2021
4 plays
4
0 comments
0
You unliked the media.