Falk Louis – Designer from Berlin

3 Ideas for More Breaks

Quickly implementable approaches to integrate more breaks into your daily life.

Breaks are pretty good for us, and yet we take too few. Because we are supposedly "too busy," or simply forget while in the flow.

Here are 3 ways I incorporate small breaks into my (work)day:

1 – The Pomodoro Technique

I use the Pomodoro Technique every day. The idea is as simple as it is effective: set a task(s), focus on it for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. And repeat.

In addition to the advantage of avoiding procrastination by focusing on one or a few tasks, I take small breaks throughout the day.

I use this website for my Pomodoros.

2 – Extend Natural Breaks

There are breaks I take anyway: I go to the bathroom or to the kitchen to refill my cup with water*.

I try to actively extend these breaks. By, for example, walking around a bit more or sitting somewhere else and doing a small 4-7-8 breathing exercise**.

3 – Daily Walk

I have a recurring to-do in my app that says:

1x 10 min walk outside

This reminds me that in addition to my lunch break (when I always go outside), I should also go outside and move for another 10 minutes.

An impulse for you

Consider how you can incorporate more short breaks into your (work) routine and feel free to try out my 3 approaches.

What I'm currently struggling with is actually spending these breaks as good, relaxing breaks.

If I take in 30 messages on my smartphone during a 5-minute break, that is probably not the case 😅.

That's why I decided to leave my smartphone at my place and actively move away during breaks.

*Yes, I drink water from a cup. Feel free to send me your hate mail about this 😄

**I am currently trying to learn to practice the 4-7-8 breathing technique during calm moments. In this technique, you breathe in through your nose for a count of 4, hold your breath while counting to 7, and finally exhale through your mouth for a count of 8.

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