You’ve finished working on your custom Zoom background template and need a break. Rather than sitting at your desk and thinking about all the things you need to do before the workday ends, you should take the chance to go outside.
Being outdoors exposes you to energy-boosting natural light and lets your mind recharge. If you’re not one to sit idle even on a break, here are six ways to enjoy the time away from your desk.
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1. Lunch With Coworkers
Going out to eat with office friends is something you can look forward to every day. Socializing is especially important if you work independently, as you may feel isolated even though you’re surrounded by coworkers.
If you bring your lunch, you can still hang out with colleagues. Find a nearby picnic table and make it a routine.
2. Bring Your Flats To Walk
Sitting for long periods can take its toll on your neck, shoulders and back. When you have a spare moment, take a lap around the neighborhood to give your body a break. Doing so gives you a chance to stretch sore muscles and utilize your long-distance vision, an important practice when you stare at a computer screen for hours every day.
3. Get a Cup of Real Coffee
You don’t know how long the office’s coffee pot has been sitting there. Instead of drinking a stale cup of Joe, take a short trip to your local coffee shop for something truly delicious. If you and your coworkers break simultaneously, you can travel together and socialize on the shop patio. If you prefer a little “you time,” you can take along a book or crossword puzzle to keep yourself occupied, or you can people watch.
4. Meditate in the Sunshine
Meditation doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, you can have a restful meditation session on a short break:
- Find a spot in the sunshine.
- Sit up straight, but maintain a comfortable position.
- Breathe in deeply, paying close attention to your chest expanding as your lungs fill.
- Focus for 10 breaths.
Even a short session can improve your mental well-being.
5. Take Some Selfies
Natural light is best for photos, so why not take a few selfies while you’re outside on break? You can snap some nice pictures for a dating profile or social media account.
If you’re not into selfies, you can photograph the world around you. Blooming flowers make great backgrounds for Google Meet or lock screens on your phone. Looking for potential subjects engages you with your environment and offers creative opportunities.
6. Doodle
Bring a pocket sketch pad on break. As you enjoy the day, doodle the things around you:
- Trees
- Flowers
- Passersby
You can benefit from this activity even if you don’t have formal training, as quietly sketching your surroundings promotes creativity and helps you practice mindfulness. Both can relieve stress and help you feel refreshed.
Between creating branded Zoom backgrounds and filing the pile of paperwork on your desk, you’re probably tired of spending so much time indoors. Exploring your office neighborhood in your spare moments helps you reenergize, so you’re more productive in the long run.
