Photographs: Nicky Loh / Reuters Nikhil Punjabi, YouthIncMag
Bored from looking at the same text on the screen? Tired from work overload? Go ahead and take a break to recharge your brain cells.
Boredom occurs to everyone.
We get tired and bored from doing repetitive tasks.
At some point we need to refresh ourselves to get our work done quicker.
As a college student, just before starting preparations for the semester exams, the sight of our huge books gets us nervous and scared.
When will we finish studying this entire thing, we wonder.
We attack the books with zeal, but after a few hours pass by, we get bored and crave for a break.
With time and experience, we realise that small breaks at regular intervals indeed help us finish things better.
Office work isn't all that different.
The immense workload and pressure of achieving targets make us feel irritated and tired, which directly hinders our efficiency.
Even in the office, taking small breaks would boost our creativity and morale and recharge our brain cells to work their best.
Whenever you feel tired or too bored to work, go ahead and take a break.
Courtesy:YouthIncMag.com
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1. Have a conversation
Image: A positive conversation on a subject you love will make you feel better.Photographs: Rediff Archives
Having a conversation with someone doesn't really mean you have to gossip or engage in idle chatter.
A mentally stimulating conversation with a colleague or a friend over a phone call about common interests like sports, fashion or anything else could also help.
Do keep in mind to talk to a person who is free and doesn't have anything important lined up when you approach them.
A good conversation can help awake your brain and motivate you to get back to work.
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2. Take a power nap
Image: A quick power nap will relieve you from your lethargic state.Photographs: Erin Siegal / Reuters
I am by no means telling you that it's acceptable to slack off at work.
What I am saying is that it might be more acceptable to try and take a power nap of 20 minutes or less during a particularly sluggish afternoon.
It would help relieve both stress and boredom.
Power naps are known to change your perspective about an issue and even sharpen your thoughts.
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3. Take a tea/coffee run
Image: A cup of coffee is an instant way to recharge yourself.Photographs: Adeel Halim/Reuters
Tea and coffee are the most preferred beverages at the workplace for those looking for refreshments.
Both help you to keep your brain alert, owing to their caffeine content (note: coffee contains more caffeine than tea and is an addictive stimulant).
Caffeine has been known to ease pain in the neck, shoulder, forearms and wrists.
Some studies have also shown that employees who take coffee breaks together in a group are more productive and perform better.
Did I also mention caffeine is addictive?
Temper your intake.
Pro Tip: Supercharge your rejuvenation with a caffeine nap.
A cup of coffee with a 10-minute snooze charges your brain to a higher extent.
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4. Walk away, literally
Image: When boredom hits you, walk away from the computer and return after a few minutes.Photographs: Aly Song/Reuters
Taking a walk improves blood circulation which ensures more oxygen to the brain thus translating into smarter brain cells.
A walk can also clear your head and alter your mood.
At the end of it, you will feel more awake and ready to work.
Either walk within the office premises or go outdoors.
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5. Shift to a more enjoyable tab
Image: Break away from the monotony and do something that interests you.Photographs: Aly Song/Reuters
If you have your work e-mail tab open constantly, there is nothing wrong in replacing it once in a while with a more interesting and fun tab for a while.
Several websites provide you access to small flash games which are entertaining as well as encouraging of productivity.
For starters, try your hand at the games at Miniclip.com.
By the way, did you know that you can play Snake while browsing YouTube?
Just hit the down arrow key while a video is buffering and the spinning dots transform into your favourite digital reptile.
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6. Get social
Image: Log on to your social media account and watch something funny or cheerful.Photographs: Dado Ruvic/Reuters
There is nothing wrong with browsing Facebook, YouTube, BuzzFeed, Pinterest or Flickr at work.
On the contrary, 10 to 15 minutes of watching people fall over each other or listening to your favourite album's parody is a fantastic rejuvenation procedure.
If you're flipping through some poorly timed pictures and laughing at them, you're not thinking about your work load, so when you return to it, you will see it in a new light. Try it!
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7. Get funny
Image: Harmless pranks are great stressbusters at work.Photographs: Marko Djurica/Reuters
Playing pranks on your colleagues will help you to keep your sanity while slaving away.
Click pictures of your colleagues randomly and share it with everyone, or post small notes with a funny message on their worktable.
Or maybe send a funny e-mail to your colleagues like, "If anyone needs me, I'll be in the bathroom."
As long as nobody is offended or has you up on harassment charges it should be just fine and fun for all, especially you.
Like anything else, it's important that these activities should be applied in moderation.
One can't ignore a phone call of a client or the boss during break time, or go without doing work for hours at a stretch.
'Work smarter, not harder' has become a cliched phrase now, but it is pivotal to stick to it.
Make a clear distinction between your time and your work time.
Ensure that you get plenty of time to switch off from work to relax.
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