Whether we work in an office, work on our plants or quarries, or drive all day, striking a balance between work and personal life can sometimes be challenging. Maintaining a good work-life balance is crucial for our overall wellbeing and productivity.

Taking regular breaks to refresh, recharge and realign ourselves at work, is one step to achieving work-life balance. And this can apply to each and every one of us.

Do you take regular breaks? Do you work through lunch time? Research has shown that taking a break has many benefits – read on to find out how these can help you.

Benefits for office-based colleagues

There are many benefits to encourage us to take short breaks during our working day.

• Improve focus: Staring at a screen for extended periods can lead to eye strain and reduced focus. Screen breaks help alleviate this by allowing your eyes to relax and reset. Try using the 20-20-20 Rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break, and look at something 20 feet away. This practice helps prevent digital eye strain.
• Better health: Regular refreshment breaks help you stay hydrated and maintain proper mealtimes. Sitting for long periods is detrimental to our health so stretching and moving supports good physical health, aiding digestion, and keeping us energised throughout the day.
• Stress reduction: Regular breaks are excellent stress relievers. They provide you with an opportunity to step away from the demands of work, reducing overall stress levels.

Benefits for non-office-based colleagues

For colleagues based on our Cemex plants and quarries, our drivers, and everyone not office based, taking regular breaks is equally beneficial for our wellbeing and productivity.

• Fatigue prevention: Long hours on the road can lead to driver fatigue. Taking regular comfort breaks helps prevent exhaustion, ensuring safety on the road.
• Stretch and rest: Use your breaks to stretch your legs, relax, and rest. This can reduce muscle stiffness and prevent discomfort.
• Stay hydrated: Maintaining hydration is vital for non-office workers since dehydration can lead to reduced alertness and increased fatigue.

Here are some useful tips to help us all take regular breaks.

• Agree break times with your peers and help each other to stick to the break time you’ve agreed.
• Set an alarm on your phone to prompt you.
• Plan to do something in your break that you enjoy – the anticipation of pleasure will motivate you to keep to the break.
• Pay attention to any benefits you experience when you take a break – this will lodge in your mind and motivate you to take breaks in future.

Making small changes to your working day can make a big difference. Stepping away from your computer, taking your lunch break, taking a walk, and chatting with colleagues. Then stop and take notice the little differences in how you feel. This will hopefully encourage you to maintain these changes.