Taking Walks To Improve Productivity

Breaks, walking, and activity are often overlooked tools that help keep us focused throughout the day, maintain or increase productivity at work, and support overall health.

In my experience, my favorite break to take is a ~10 minute walk. Walking and changes of space throughout my work day helps me clear away distractions and really focus on tasks at hand, and to push past boredom, fatigue and challenges. This works even if you’re not directly thinking about what you’re working on while walking, in fact it might be better to think about other things to clear your mind.

While any frequent breaks can help you refocus, I’m specifically covering walking breaks and breaks that get you, or your employees, adding activity to their work day. Please keep in mind, not everyone can partake in walking breaks, so finding what works for you and helping employees find what works for them is incredibly important. The main point is: taking breaks that allow for a change of pace frequently in your day can help you stay focused all day long.

When facing boredom or a challenging project, it might seem counterproductive to take a 15 minute walk. Many people will feel like that is too long away from their work, or that if they are “at work” why wouldn’t they be “working”. On the contrary, the focus and clarity it can help bring often times can help you work through your tasks and challenges with increased speed and effectiveness. A quick break or walk becomes a net positive in terms of productivity.

For me personally, I attribute this to helping me work though and process distractions for a set amount of time. The ~10-15 minute time limitation being a helpful factor as well. For example, if I’m editing a commercial and I’ve been sitting at the computer for an hour or two, and starting to feel fatigued or distracted, I will get up and take a walk for 15 minutes. When I come back, my fresh perspective and new focus means I’m ready to work again.

In addition to the performance and productivity benefits. Walking or having activity for even a few minutes every couple hours can significantly improve your health long-term. I’m definitely not a cardiologist, but this has to do with how the heart functions when sitting for long periods and the stress that causes long term. Tools like sit-stand desks can also be used to help reduce the physical stress of static sitting at work and are a worthwhile option to consider. 

Here is a link you can use to read more about the studies that discuss this serious medical issue -> https://www.startstanding.org/sitting-and-cardiovascular-disease

We all must keep in mind that while productivity is great, long term health and happiness on a personal level is the most important thing. Work to add activity breaks, and breaks in general, to your day to protect your heart, as well as help center your focus. If you’re in a managerial or owner position, help your employees find ways to stand more often and encourage more frequent breaks/activity breaks. It not only helps your business have more effective work hours, but also is responsible for the well being of those who work with you!

By: Trenton Hoshiko

Creative Director and Head Producer, Modern Icon Media

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