Dear Designer: Give Yourself a Break!
Welcome back to our Dear Designer series! In this edition we will be highlighting the importance of taking breaks during the design process, both short and long. We will learn how you can benefit from them and use them to create your best work possible. We’ve even sprinkled in some tips and tricks on how to hold yourself accountable for your own well-being.
Breaks During Work
Burnout is real! I’ve experienced it myself and I’m sure more than half of the people reading this have as well. Getting back on your feet after that happens can be challenging so it’s easier to avoid it by respecting your mind and body. Studies show that taking purposeful small breaks help improve productivity, as this is the time our brain works to consolidate our memories. It can provide clarity and you may unexpectedly find new solutions to a problem you had.
I know we have those days that we feel overwhelmed with the workload making it look impossible to take a break, or sometimes we can just lose track of how long we’ve been staring at the screen. It’s important to prioritize your break just as much as your work to avoid exhaustion and mistakes.
Each person works differently so it’s important to understand what works best for you and stick to that. Personally, I like to plan longer breaks at the beginning of the day and set up alarms so I don’t lose track of them. For the shorter breaks, a few studies have recommended/suggested taking 5-minute every 25 minutes, or a 15-minute break every 90 minutes. There are a few tools you can use to help you with that, like the “Break Timer” Chrome extension or pomofocus.io.
The quality of the break is also important. You’ll not only feel more rested, but the anticipation will motivate you to take that little time off. Being mindful and disconnecting from work is the main goal, so try taking a nice stretch or a quick meditation. Go take a walk outside, a physical refresh will help you get a mental reset.
Written by: Isabella Ambrosio, Web Designer
Breaks Away from Work
Now that we’re aware of the benefits of taking breaks during work, I’d like to focus on the importance of taking breaks away from work. Everyone has (or will) experience feelings of burnout during their career. These feelings have been amplified due to the worldwide switch from office space to working from home (thanks Covid). You may find it’s a little harder to shake free of the 9–5 when your desk is located just a few steps away from your bed. The solution is to hit the reset button.
Burnout is the result of repeated workplace stress. It can cause tiredness, mental disconnect, and reduced efficiency. None combine for a good recipe for production, and in the design world, it is an easy way to fall into a creative block. When you find yourself staring at a blank page or computer screen without the ability to move forward, it’s a good indication that you are in need of some time away.
There are benefits to taking time off from work, and it doesn’t always have to be a long vacation. Some people have so much on their plate that the idea of taking off adds even more stress. Taking one day off to create a three day weekend, or a day off in the middle to break up the week, will still be beneficial. It can help reduce stress, fix sleep schedules, clear creative blocks, and give you more motivation to achieve your career goals. Be mindful and take the time off you deserve to avoid burning out.
Written by: James Coviello, Senior Web Designer II
