Learn how to take effective breaks throughout the workday in IT Operations to boost your performance, mood, and creativity.

We all live in a cycle during the day. Doing physical, mental and enjoyable activities at different time periods significantly prevents energy loss. For this reason, it is important to design the workplace environment accordingly. Priority is given to having places only for smoking and eating. For example, there should be places to walk or move around in workplaces. Perhaps including areas to listen to some music or chat with a colleague will be an important support for the employee to better manage his energy.

How can you take breaks throughout the workday to increase productivity in IT Operations?

IT Operations is a demanding and fast-paced field that requires constant attention, problem-solving, and communication. However, working without breaks can lead to stress, fatigue, and reduced performance. Taking breaks throughout the workday can help you recharge, refresh, and refocus, increasing your productivity and well-being. Here are some tips on how to take effective breaks in IT Operations.

1 Set a schedule

One of the challenges of taking breaks in IT Operations is finding the right time and frequency. You don't want to interrupt your workflow, miss deadlines, or compromise your service level agreements. However, you also don't want to wait until you feel overwhelmed or exhausted. A good practice is to set a schedule for your breaks and stick to it as much as possible. For example, you can take a 10-minute break every hour, or a 15-minute break every two hours, depending on your workload and preferences. You can use a timer, a calendar, or a reminder app to help you keep track of your break times.

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Nazmiye Beşe Baytaz

Türkiye'de Faaliyet Gösteren Yerli ve Yabancı Sermayeli KOBİ'lere Özel SATIŞTA SINIR TANIMAYANLAR Program Lideri | Satış Organizasyonlarına Özel İnsan Kaynakları Danışmanlığı | Harrison Consultant Partner
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We all live in a cycle during the day. Doing physical, mental and enjoyable activities at different time periods significantly prevents energy loss. For this reason, it is important to design the workplace environment accordingly. Priority is given to having places only for smoking and eating. For example, there should be places to walk or move around in workplaces. Perhaps including areas to listen to some music or chat with a colleague will be an important support for the employee to better manage his energy.

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Muhammad Nadeem Zafar

IT Manager @ ACCOR
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In my experience, it's crucial to align your break schedule with your natural energy peaks. We're all unique, and recognizing when you're most productive can significantly enhance your workflow. Personally, I've noticed that my energy tends to surge at specific times of the day, and I tailor my breaks accordingly. Hydration is a non-negotiable aspect of my routine. I've found that incorporating time for sips of water and nibbling on healthy snacks during breaks not only keeps me refreshed but also prevents fatigue and maintains cognitive function.

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🎅 Eric Troldahl

Ally 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 | Cyber Security Engineer and Cyber Operations Projects, I've been 100% REMOTE since 2015... Cyber Geek with over 15 years of widely varied IT experience.
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I can't usually take frequent breaks, but what I have done is change up my break/lunch/daily schedule to take 30 minutes for breaks and lunch (moving 15 minutes of lunch to each break), and then combining the break with a 1 mile walk. It helps get a different perspective by stepping away for a larger period of time.

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2 Change your environment

Another way to make your breaks more effective is to change your environment. This can help you break the monotony, stimulate your senses, and reduce your eye strain. For example, you can step away from your computer, go outside, or move to a different room. You can also use your breaks to do some physical activity, such as stretching, walking, or yoga. This can help you improve your blood circulation, oxygenate your brain, and release tension from your muscles.

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🎅 Eric Troldahl

Ally 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 | Cyber Security Engineer and Cyber Operations Projects, I've been 100% REMOTE since 2015... Cyber Geek with over 15 years of widely varied IT experience.
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Using a sit/stand desk helps with this. In most IT roles we sit more than is healthy for our bodies. Standing up for 5 minutes of each 30-60 minutes helps reduce physical exhaustion.

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3 Do something enjoyable

Your breaks should also be an opportunity to do something enjoyable and rewarding. This can help you boost your mood, motivation, and creativity. For example, you can use your breaks to listen to music, read a book, play a game, or chat with a friend. You can also use your breaks to learn something new, such as a language, a skill, or a hobby. This can help you expand your horizons, challenge yourself, and enrich your life.

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4 Avoid distractions

While taking breaks is important, you should also avoid distractions that can interfere with your focus and productivity. For example, you should avoid checking your email, social media, or news during your breaks. These can trigger stress, anxiety, or frustration, and make it harder for you to return to your work. You should also avoid multitasking, such as working on another project, answering calls, or attending meetings during your breaks. These can prevent you from fully relaxing and recharging.

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🎅 Eric Troldahl

Ally 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 | Cyber Security Engineer and Cyber Operations Projects, I've been 100% REMOTE since 2015... Cyber Geek with over 15 years of widely varied IT experience.
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One thing I do and encourage my team to do is to schedule when I view Teams messages and email. I don't let notifications of new messages interrupt me unless they start "Major Incident" - those are a valid interruption. Otherwise, the lost useful time transitioning from work to messages back to work loses too much momentum.

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5 Review your progress

Finally, you should use your breaks to review your progress and plan your next steps. This can help you assess your performance, identify your achievements, and set your goals. For example, you can use your breaks to check your to-do list, prioritize your tasks, and update your status. You can also use your breaks to celebrate your successes, acknowledge your challenges, and seek feedback. This can help you improve your skills, confidence, and satisfaction.

Taking breaks throughout the workday can help you increase your productivity in IT Operations. By setting a schedule, changing your environment, doing something enjoyable, avoiding distractions, and reviewing your progress, you can make the most of your breaks and enhance your work-life balance.

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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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How can you take breaks throughout the workday to increase productivity in IT Operations?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Set a schedule

2 Change your environment

3 Do something enjoyable

4 Avoid distractions

5 Review your progress

6 Here’s what else to consider

IT Operations

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How can you take breaks throughout the workday to increase productivity in IT Operations?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Set a schedule

2 Change your environment

3 Do something enjoyable

4 Avoid distractions

5 Review your progress

6 Here’s what else to consider

IT Operations

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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