Introduction: The Power of Taking Breaks
In today’s workplaces, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that non-stop working is a sign of commitment or success. Whether you are on the front line, behind a desk, or out in the community, there’s a constant drive to push through without pause. This approach unfortunately is often reinforced by management targets or unrealistic deadlines.
But working without breaks doesn’t make you more productive, it can mean the opposite as it makes you more vulnerable to burnout, stress, and mistakes.
Trade unions and the WEU have long fought for better conditions, including the right to rest and recharge during the working day. Taking regular breaks is not a luxury, it is part of your employment right, and it is vital for protecting your health, focus, and long-term well-being.
From reducing stress and improving mental health to boosting your motivation and job performance, breaks help keep you fit for work and for your life after you finish work.
The next two articles outline the top ten reasons why breaks are essential, how to schedule breaks into your working day and your employment rights. These are backed by research and common experience but they are just a guide to help you in the workplace. Whether you work with your hands or behind a screen, every break you take matters and it’s worth protecting.
Why Are Breaks Important?
Taking breaks isn’t about trying to get out of working. It’s about ensuring safe, fair, and sustainable working conditions. Here are some key reasons every worker should be supported and encouraged to take proper breaks on the job:
Breaks Help to Prevent and Reduce Stress
• Working flat-out builds pressure that can quickly become unmanageable.
• Even short microbreaks, some research says as little as 3 minutes can calm a person down.
• Research shows that regular breaks reduce stress and errors, even in high pressure jobs.
The WEU suggests: even using short breaks to step away, stretch, or take a breath, will help protect your health and reduces mistakes on the job.
Breaks Can Enhance Your Mood
• Pausing to talk with colleagues, get fresh air, or enjoy a hobby can lift your spirits.
• A better mood means stronger mental resilience and a more positive workplace.
The WEU suggests: Take time to do something that recharges your mood, it benefits you and your team.
Breaks Improve Your Physical Health
• Sitting or standing in one place too long can be linked to serious health risks.
• Moving around regularly helps reduce these risks and prevent long-term health issues.
The WEU suggests: Make movement part of your break, walk, stretch, or simply change posture when you can.
Breaks Restore Your Motivation
• Constant work drains your energy and makes it harder to stay focused.
• Regular pauses help you maintain momentum throughout the day.
The WEU suggests: Don’t wait until you’re completely run down, take short, regular breaks to stay strong.
Breaks Fuel Your Creativity and refreshes your thoughts
• Stuck on a task? A short break can help reset your thinking.
• Breaks give your brain space to come back with new ideas and solutions.
The WEU suggests: Even stepping outside or switching tasks briefly (if possible) can unlock fresh thinking.
Breaks Improve Memory and Learning
• Your brain processes and stores information better when you take breaks.
• Especially in training or when learning new tasks, breaks boost your ability to retain and apply knowledge.
The WEU suggests: Break your work into focused bursts with pauses in between,it can be more effective and less exhausting.
Breaks Allow You to Reassess and Keep an Overview
• When you’re too close to a task, it’s hard to see the bigger picture.
• Breaks help you reflect on your work and check you’re still on track.
The WEU suggests: Use break time to step back and refocus, this helps prevent rushed decisions and wasted effort.
Breaks Prevent Fatigue and Improve Concentration
• Attention and concentration naturally dip after about 25–30 minutes.
• Without breaks, mistakes and accidents become more likely.
The WEU suggests: Regular pauses help you stay sharp and reduce risk, especially in safety-critical roles.
Breaks Improve Mental Health and Overall Wellbeing
• Regular breaks can help reduce anxiety, improve emotional balance, and prevent mental exhaustion.
• They’re key to maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
The WEU suggests: Protect your mental health by taking time to breathe and decompress during your day.
Breaks Increase Your Productivity
• Well-rested workers get more done and do it better.
• Breaks are a proven way to boost both speed and quality of work.
The WEU suggests: Taking a break if needed, is part of what makes you more effective.
Please consider – what you do on your break, Do you?
Let your mind relax, without checking your phone or jumping into another task, this can improve mood, problem-solving, and creativity.
Take real breaks, don’t just swap one task for another. Give your brain space to recover.
In Summary of Part 1:
Stephen Morris, General Secretary of the Workers of England Union said “Breaks aren’t optional extras, they’re essential for every worker, in every sector. They protect your health, boost your performance, and help prevent accidents and burnout.
The WEU understands that fair conditions include fair breaks. So whether you’re fighting for a proper lunch break, pushing back against back-to-back scheduling, or simply reminding a colleague to pause, remember: taking a break is part of the job”.
If you are having problems with taking breaks then part 2 will give some guidance