The corporate world can be tough. With conflicting demands, excessive workloads, and distracting coworkers, it’s no wonder many employees are stressed out. In fact, a recent poll shows 46 percent of office workers think their job is bad for stress levels. For those working more than forty hours a week, it can be even worse.
One strategy for combatting stress is to schedule short breaks throughout the day to recharge and refuel. Mounting empirical evidence supporting the benefits of mental downtime that suggests this method replenishes attention, improves productivity, and can even enhances creativity. Cal Newport, author of the bestselling book Deep Work, extolls the virtues of taking periodic deep breaks to prevent mental burnout. He suggests short walks, daydreaming, and reading as examples of good activities for recharging.
How can businesses encourage employees to step away from their harried schedules and take these regenerative breaks? One strategy is to design spaces for introspection within the work environment. This can be accomplished leveraging two different approaches.