Microbreaks

Microbreaks are brief, intentional pauses taken during work to reduce fatigue, relieve strain, and maintain cognitive and physical performance. They typically last a few seconds to about one minute and are spread throughout a work session, especially during extended computer use or repetitive tasks.

During microbreaks, people may perform physical movements such as neck and shoulder stretches, standing or walking to a different area, rest the eyes by blinking or shifting focus, or briefly switch to a different task or mental activity to reset attention.

Research on microbreaks suggests they can lessen musculoskeletal discomfort, eye strain, and perceived fatigue, and may help sustain attention and productivity. Findings are mixed and depend on break type, duration, and task context. Microbreaks are generally considered safe and low-cost interventions for workplace well-being.

Implementation tips include using reminders or scheduling systems to prompt breaks, combining physical, visual, and cognitive microbreaks, applying eye-rest techniques during screen work (for example, looking away from the screen every so often and blinking more regularly), and incorporating short stretches and light movement. It is important to avoid breaks that disrupt critical operations or safety-critical tasks and to tailor break patterns to individual needs and job requirements.