You’ve been working long hours for weeks. What are the benefits of taking a break?

You've been working long hours for weeks on a complex information architecture project. You're feeling stressed, exhausted, and overwhelmed by the amount of work you have to do. You think you can't afford to take a break, but you're wrong. Taking a break can actually boost your productivity, creativity, and well-being. Here are some of the benefits of taking a break and how to do it effectively.

1 Improve your focus

When you work for long periods of time without a break, your attention span and concentration start to decline. You become more prone to distractions, errors, and mental fatigue. Taking a break can help you refresh your mind, regain your focus, and avoid burnout. A break can be as simple as a 10-minute walk, a meditation session, or a chat with a colleague. You can also use the Pomodoro technique, which involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break.

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Myriam Lequeux

Assistante de direction - Cité de l'agriculture
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Selon l'intensité, la longueur , la complexité de la tâche à réaliser, je ne maintiens pas ma concentration de la même façon. Le matin, au meilleur de mon éveil, j'accomplirai sans m'arrêter une série de tâches chronophages et répétitives pendant 1 à 2H. Une fois la sensation d'avoir bien éclairci ma to do list, une pause s'impose ! Un petit tour dans les bureaux, un café, une brin d'air sur la terrasse, ou un aller retour à la boite aux lettres. Il me faudra sans doute 10 mn pour récupérer ma capacité d'attention. L'esprit aéré, je peux passer à une opération plus élaborée, de type budget, ou rédaction juridique.

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2 Boost your creativity

Information architecture requires a lot of creativity and problem-solving skills. You need to come up with innovative and user-friendly solutions for organizing, labeling, and navigating complex information systems. However, when you work for too long, your creativity can suffer. You may get stuck in a rut, repeat the same ideas, or lose your inspiration. Taking a break can help you stimulate your creativity by exposing you to new stimuli, perspectives, and experiences. You can try doing something fun, relaxing, or challenging, such as reading a book, playing a game, or learning a new skill.

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3 Enhance your well-being

Working long hours for weeks can take a toll on your physical and mental health. You may experience symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, anxiety, depression, or low immunity. Taking a break can help you improve your well-being by reducing your stress levels, increasing your happiness, and strengthening your immune system. You can use your break time to do some physical activity, practice gratitude, or connect with your loved ones. You can also take a longer break, such as a weekend getaway or a vacation, to recharge your batteries and enjoy life.

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Bevon Findley

Tech, Marketing, Education (4x Author) | Driving positive change in Agriculture, & STEM education. Connect for transformation & tech solutions!
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When tackling long work hours, taking regular breaks isn't just a luxury—it's a necessity. These moments of respite not only provide an opportunity to clear and calm the mind but also serve as a powerful tool for recharging. It's during these breaks that solutions to complex problems often emerge, sparing us from investing excessive time and energy into a project. By prioritizing breaks, we foster productivity, creativity, and ultimately, achieve better outcomes.

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4 Learn new things

Information architecture is a dynamic and evolving field. You need to keep up with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices. However, when you work for long hours for weeks, you may not have enough time or energy to learn new things. Taking a break can help you expand your knowledge and skills by giving you the opportunity to explore new topics, resources, and courses. You can use your break time to read a blog post, watch a video, or listen to a podcast related to information architecture. You can also take a longer break to enroll in a formal training program or attend a conference.

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5 Review your progress

When you work for long hours for weeks, you may lose sight of your goals, priorities, and achievements. You may feel like you're not making any progress, or you may miss some important details or feedback. Taking a break can help you review your progress and evaluate your performance by giving you the chance to reflect, analyze, and adjust. You can use your break time to check your project plan, review your deliverables, or solicit feedback from your stakeholders. You can also take a longer break to celebrate your milestones, reward yourself, or plan your next steps.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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You’ve been working long hours for weeks. What are the benefits of taking a break?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Improve your focus

2 Boost your creativity

3 Enhance your well-being

4 Learn new things

5 Review your progress

6 Here’s what else to consider

Information Architecture

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You’ve been working long hours for weeks. What are the benefits of taking a break?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Improve your focus

2 Boost your creativity

3 Enhance your well-being

4 Learn new things

5 Review your progress

6 Here’s what else to consider

Information Architecture

Rate this article

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