You are faced with an enormous to-do list that looks like you will need to start early, miss lunch and work late. But will missing breaks be the best thing for your productivity?

Not according to research recently carried out by The Australia Institute who advise that regular breaks are necessary to make sure tht a heavy workload is carried out efficiently.

Here are three reasons to give yourself more breaks at work.

Restore Focus

Our brains were not designed for the extended focus that we demand of them. Once we overstretch our ability to focus we become unable to concentrate and feel zoned out, or irritable. But there is a solution. By taking a brief mental break it will actually help us to stay on the task for longer and complete it more effectively.

Defeat fatigue

Taking breaks during the day, including a decent lunch break is an effective way to fight fatigue and helps increase productivity according to research.

Without sufficient downtime to refresh and recharge, we become less efficient, make more mistakes and are less focused on what we are doing.

Maintain health.

When you are physically and mentally stressed you produce the stress hormone cortisol.

Elevated cortisol levels over time related to a number of diseases and research has found that taking a lunch break had a positive effect on reducing blood pressure and improving sleep quality. 

Ready to take a break?

Then try the try one of the many relaxation techniques that you can find on specialist websites and set your timer for a regular break.

When the timer goes off, take a short break for five minutes. Walk away from your work station stretch your legs and have a drink, or do some simple stretches at your desk.

Increase these sessions to up to 15 minutes and feel the benefit to you, your focus and your work.

Remember Mayfair cares.