How can remote workers take good quality breaks?

Everyone will have their own preferences when it comes to break times. But there are a few things that every remote worker can do, wherever you are in the world, to optimize your time away from the screen. In this post, we suggest just three ways you can make better use of your breaks to help you establish a more healthy, productive, and consistent routine during the working week.

Research the local area 

Often, the best way to learn more about a new area is by heading out for a walk with no particular destination in mind, immersing yourself in the local culture and customs. However, as a remote worker in a new area, it’s extremely helpful to research the local area before making your trip, especially if you’re going to be working during the day and your free time will be limited. 

Create a list of some spots you really want to see, and factor some of these into your breaks. Getting out and exploring the local area will help you to feel more comfortable in your surroundings, and doing different activities or seeing new places can help to take your mind off the stresses of the day. By having an understanding of what you can expect to find in the area, you can make better use of your time and optimise your breaks. 

Adopt healthy habits 

One of the most important ingredients of a good quality break is doing something that benefits either your physical or mental health (or ideally both). To start with, this means making a conscious effort to put your phone down and reduce your screen time when you’re away from your desk. Not only will this help to give your eyes a rest, but it encourages you to focus on more healthy activities. As reported in a recent guide to responsible screen time and managing communications, the average UK adult spends five hours a day looking at their mobile – doing something more positive with just a small chunk of this time can have a whole host of benefits.  

There are plenty of things you can do to support your wellbeing on a break from your desk. Something as simple as taking five minutes to do some mindfulness exercises can help refocus your mind ready to tackle your to-do list. Or, take a short stroll around the block to get some fresh air and get your heartrate up. And most importantly, remember to eat and drink something to refuel your body. If you’re travelling as a remote worker, try to find healthy spots for your lunch break and use it as an opportunity to discover a new cuisine. 

Socialise

Wherever you are in the world, working remotely can feel isolating, and this can have a negative impact on our mental wellbeing. With face-to-face meetings replaced with virtual calls, it’s all the more difficult to maintain that human connection with colleagues and other like-minded professionals away from an office. 

Whether you’re in a co-working space or working on your own, a great way to optimise your breaks is by using them as an opportunity to socialise. If you’re on the move, one way to meet other people is by joining online communities and groups. Not only will connecting with these people help to reduce feelings of isolation while working remotely, but you may also pick up some useful tips about the area from other people who are in a similar situation. 

If you’re around other people in a shared space, avoid the temptation to bury your head in your phone during break times and instead strike up a conversation with a fellow worker – you never know where it might lead.