The Alternative Approach to a Break Room

Tags

#productivity, break, flowers, Green, outside, outside the box, refresh

Have you ever felt completely drained at work? Wanting to go home but knowing there are still so many things to accomplish before the day is over?

Allow yourself to take a break. A digital break. A mental break. Anything that will re-charge your battery.

Yesterday, the team at Baker Creative decided to take our own little break during the afternoon. What did we decide to do? Plant sunflowers outside of our office.

It seems a bit random to do on a break, right? But we had a few reasons behind it…

1. We are a green company. Baker Creative is a certified Green Spot and our office is located on a natural wildlife preserve. Connecting with nature and sustaining the environment is something we embed into our company culture. We even have a Green Conference Room, where clients can sit outside on our deck, next to our pond, and enjoy a fresh atmosphere during a meeting. So with spring here, it’s time to start gardening! And what better thing to do on our break than spruce up our office landscaping. We spread out some birdseed for our bird feeders and planted a few seeds that will soon bloom into beautiful sunflowers.

2. Doing something “outside-the-box” boosts productivity. Routine can be great and is often know to keep people on track with their work production. But routine can also become mundane and stale. So for your next break, think  outside the box! Try adding some spontaneity! Surprising your mind with an impulsive activity will stimulate your brain and help boost your productivity.

3. Flowers are known to boost mood. According to a study done at Rutgers University, researchers found that flowers have a remarkable power to improve emotional health. Simply being in the presence of flowers was found to elevate mood significantly, measurably increase feelings of life satisfaction and promote positive social behavior.

4. Being outside provides fresh air. There is nothing worse than feeling trapped in the office all day. If you have a place outside your office to take a step outside, take advantage of it. A short, five-minute walk will not only clear your head, but will also help get the blood flowing. Get outside for some fresh air and a change of scenery. You’ll come back to the office feeling refreshed and rejuvenated and ready to restart your work.

So the next time you’re feeling a little drained, do something out-of-the-box. Allow yourself to take a break. Not all of us are Superman, but with the power of a tiny break, we’ll feel better about tackling any challenge.

 

 

Sources:

http://www.greencirclegrowers.com/_blog/Green_Circle_Growers_Blog/post/Science_Proves_Flowers_Have_Power_to_Boost_Mood/

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA401385/Best-Way-to-Sharpen-Your-Mind.html

Photo Source: freedigitalphotos.com