Small everyday choices can have a big impact on well-being. Often, the hardest part is getting started. By taking small steps together with your coworkers, the threshold to begin becomes significantly lower.
Late summer is a transitional time toward autumn, making it an excellent moment to reflect on everyday choices, both at work and in personal life. It’s worth taking advantage of this time because small daily actions to support health and recovery can have a big impact. By taking short breaks during the day, you can easily add movement to your week and support recovery during the workday.
We’ve gathered the best ways to start incorporating exercise breaks into the workplace:
Exercise breaks have been proven to boost alertness, improve concentration, and increase attention. Light exercise stimulates metabolism and activates different muscle groups in our body. Additionally, the muscles in the back and neck—which we constantly strain during desk work—get a chance to relax during movement. The mind also benefits from a short break, as we shift focus from the screen to our body’s movements.
Reduced stress and increased energy naturally improve work outcomes as well. With a refreshed mind, it’s easier to work with the desired focus, without distractions. Better work quality benefits the entire organisation, and exercise breaks can elevate productivity to a whole new level.
Even though consciously taking breaks and adding movement to your workdays seems simple, it often remains just a good intention. Here are our three tips for building a new routine:
Taking breaks is much easier when you do it together. Starting to move as a group boosts motivation and makes breaks more enjoyable. When you take regular breaks as a team, you encourage each other to stand up and get moving. This not only refreshes the mind and body but also strengthens team spirit. Shared break times help to interrupt the busy workday and bring renewed energy. Moving together turns breaks into a pleasant routine that’s easier to maintain daily.
Building new routines, like exercise breaks, is easier when you start with small steps. By setting achievable goals, you ensure that the new habit is sustainable and becomes a genuine part of your daily life. Even a small movement is a step in the right direction, and with regular repetition, it gradually becomes a routine. Start with one or two short breaks a day and gradually increase them. When goals are realistic, they are easier to achieve, and soon you’ll notice how exercise breaks improve your well-being and work performance.
Cuckoo is a smart break exercise app with user-friendly break videos and an easy-to-use interface that supports your workday. The app can be accessed through a browser or by installing it on your phone, allowing you to start a break anytime, anywhere. With over 1,000 breaks designed by physiotherapists, Cuckoo encourages movement, refreshes the mind, and helps you stay focused throughout the day. Most importantly, Cuckoo reminds you to take a break. You can track your progress by earning points, and to keep motivation high, there are exciting prizes for active users. Cuckoo also allows you to track your team’s results, encourage your colleagues, and challenge them to friendly competitions!
With proper breaks and a well-paced workday, productivity improves, and everyday challenges become easier to tackle. It’s worth trying out break exercise at your workplace as soon as possible and see which method suits your work environment best. Here, you can find the solution that best fits your organisation.
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