Breaks and vacations lead to more productivity, creativity and wellbeing.

Manufacturers have long known the benefits of planned downtime for equipment. By having a designated time for maintenance and upgrades they reduce the likelihood of inconvenient and costly unplanned downtime. Plus, it gives them an opportunity for identifying potential problems and correcting them before they become bigger problems. People can benefit from planned downtime too.

Downtime facilitates productivity

“Employees who take breaks are more productive and creative,” says Susan Randolph in Workplace Health & Safety. She also points to research that shows breaks help workers remain focused and engaged, as well as do their work with fewer errors.

What counts as downtime

The purpose of downtime is to give your brain a break. That means setting aside the things that we often turn to for diversion—like social media apps, texting and scrolling through news feeds. Downtime means stepping away from goal-oriented activities. Instead, rest, nap, daydream, stretch, drink a cup of coffee or tea or take a walk.

Allow yourself to be bored for a while. Temporary idleness will help recharge your mind. Downtime creates mental space for generating new ideas and innovation.

Plan breaks and vacations

Taking breaks throughout the day helps avoid burnout.

Planned breaks are a good way to build downtime into your day. However, when work is intense or you’re tired, microbreaks—of ten minutes or less—stop the depletion cycle and allow you to re-energize, Time reports.

Schedule your vacation time, even if it’s a staycation. According to Human Resources Director, Americans had on average 9.5 unused vacation days at the end of 2021. That’s nearly two weeks of missed opportunities for recharging body and mind for better wellbeing. Plus, research shows that taking vacations or extended breaks from work is linked to lower rates of heart disease and lower levels of stress, depression and anxiety.

Streamline your banking

Many business owners don’t take breaks or vacations because they feel they have too much to do. Business members who do their checking, savings, payroll, payments and merchant services with Consumers find their banking tasks are streamlined. This gives them time for other things, including beneficial downtime. Discover more about business banking with us.

 

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