Are You Taking the Right Kind of Breaks? Here’s What Science Says
April is here, and if you’re anything like me, the excitement of a fresh year has faded a little into the daily grind. Goals have been set, routines have settled in, and suddenly… you’re exhausted.
It’s no surprise. The modern work culture thrives on hustle, but here’s a radical thought: What if working less actually made you more productive?
I don’t mean slacking off—I mean taking better breaks.
As a purpose-driven business owner, wife, and mother of three (one with complex needs), I’m ever-so-slightly obsessed with fine-tuning my schedule for optimal productivity. But I’ve also learned the hard way that more hours don’t always mean better results.
I want to be efficient. I want to get things done. But I also want to feel good while doing it.
So, I asked myself: Am I taking the right breaks? And is there a science-backed formula for balancing work and rest?
The Work-Break Ratio That Maximises Productivity
Let’s start with a productivity myth: working longer doesn’t mean working better.
Studies show that the highest-performing workers don’t grind away for eight hours straight. Instead, they take strategic breaks.
Back in 2014, the productivity-tracking software DeskTime found that the most productive employees followed a 52-17 work-rest cycle—52 minutes of focused work, followed by a 17-minute break.
But that was a decade ago.
In 2021, during the peak of remote work, DeskTime updated its research and discovered a shift:
- The new optimal work-break ratio was 112 minutes of work followed by a 26-minute break.
That’s nearly double the previous break time. Why? Because remote work blurred boundaries. Without office distractions, people worked harder—and needed longer recovery periods.
What You Do on Your Break Matters
Not all breaks are created equal. Research shows that the more disconnected and relaxing your break is, the greater the benefits for energy, creativity, and focus.
This means scrolling through emails or half-watching a webinar doesn’t cut it. The best breaks involve:
- Stepping away from screens
- Engaging in something enjoyable (like sipping a cup of tea, taking a walk, or finding a way to mention your cheeky older brother in a blog to see if he notices)
- Fully disconnecting from work thoughts
The Perfect Tea Break for Maximum Productivity
Here’s a simple yet powerful way to take a truly restorative break:
- Brew a cup of your favourite tea (Jade Mist green tea for me as I write this!)
- Take slow, mindful breaths as it steeps
- Step away from your workspace and sip slowly
A 26-minute tea break? Absolutely. The world won’t end. But your productivity just might soar.
So, if you’ve been powering through your workday without intentional breaks, it’s time to rethink your approach. Your brain—and your tea—deserve it.
Take action today!
Shop our range of organic teas to help you recharge and boost your productivity.
References
- DeskTime Study (2014): DeskTime. (2014). The 52-17 work-rest cycle: A study on the productivity of the most successful employees. DeskTime. Retrieved from https://www.desktime.com/blog/the-52-17-work-rest-cycle/
- DeskTime Study (2021): DeskTime. (2021). The evolution of the work-rest cycle: How remote work changed productivity patterns. DeskTime. Retrieved from https://www.desktime.com/blog/work-rest-ratio-remote-work/
- General Research on Breaks and Productivity: Miller, S. (2020). Why taking breaks at work is key to higher productivity. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 25(1), 1-10. DOI: 10.1037/ocp0000174