How to Take Better Pomodoro Breaks
There are better ways to rest than scrolling through your phone
If you use the Pomodoro method, what do you usually do between work sessions? Scroll through your phone? Because that’s what I do. I’ve realized that that isn’t actually a productive way to take a break. And yes, you can be productive even in your breaks. But it might not be the way that you think.
I’ll share with you some better ways to rest your mind for a few minutes until the Pomodoro timer strikes once more.
3 Ways to Improve Your Breaks
As helpful as the Pomodoro method is to get into working mode, how you take your breaks can definitely improve or reduce the quality of your focus by the time you get back into work mode. Here are three different Pomodoro break methods you can try.
Just kinda… sit there
Profound, I know. But hear me out. Think about this for a second.
We give our attention to so many things throughout the day to many — admittedly, useless — things. But why don’t we give some attention to ourselves for a second? To our own thoughts?
If you’re like me, you’d reach for your phone the second that first work session ends. But we’re just consuming more information. I find that when I do this, I feel way more distracted when I return to work than if I just sat still for a little while.
Sitting there and letting the mind just wander can be good for you. Studies show that mind-wandering can increase your job performance and make you more creative. It can also be a form of meditation, as another study suggests. It’s definitely helped me
If you aren’t sure how to just sit there, try looking around. Notice what’s outside your window. Pay attention to the sky. It can feel much better than checking Twitter or Instagram.
Dare to Nap
I’m a big believer in taking a nap when you really need it. Sometimes, it can be the most productive thing you can do. Your mind just doesn’t function well when you’re sleepy. In fact, it can function worse than if you were drunk. Drowsy driving is way more dangerous than drunk driving (although that doesn’t give you a pass to drive drunk).
If you’re falling asleep while working, please, for the love of God, take a few minutes to take a power nap. It shouldn’t last longer than 10-20 minutes. It helps. I should know.
When I’m working and I can feel my eyelids slamming shut, I stop lying to myself that I’m not tired and just take a short nap. Call it an honest break.
I find that when I take a short nap between writing articles, I come back to it feeling like a new person with fresh eyes. And I’ve said before how forgetting your drafts and seeing your work with fresh eyes is important. So give it a try.
Remember to hydrate
Sitting in front of your computer or laptop for hours every day is draining. It takes a lot of brain power to be creative. It’s why another great alternative to scrolling on your phone while you’re on your Pomodoro break is to drink water. Simple. But so many people still forget how beneficial drinking water is. Even me.
When I take a swig of water after a long work session, I feel energized.
I get so focused on work that I forget to drink water (as I’m sure you experience too). So a bottle of water at your side can be a great help to you. Or put it a little farther so you can stretch your legs to get it.
Give Yourself a (Better) Break
Taking a break is always important, especially if you’re working for long periods. But sometimes reaching for the phone isn’t going to refresh you as much as you might think. A better way to take a break is to focus on yourself. Rest your mind and your eyes. That way, you’ll feel much better once it's time to get more things done.