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A little relaxation at work
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At least a few seconds and at most ten minutes: This is how long so-called micro-pauses last, which, according to a study, can have a positive effect on people's well-being.
The short breaks could reduce fatigue and increase energy levels in everyday work or study, writes a research team led by Patricia Albulescu from the Romanian West University of Timisoara (Timisoara) in the online journal »Plos One«.
For the study, the researchers evaluated 22 studies on the subject in a meta-analysis.
The results show that people felt more energetic and less tired after taking a micro-break.
The study did not provide any clear results as to whether they would then be able to work more productively.
However, at least the performance has not decreased, the researchers reported.
Open areaWho carried out the study?
The study was carried out by a team led by Patricia Albulescu from the Romanian West University of Timisoara.
The results were published in the online journal »Plos One«.
Open areaWhat data was collected?
The researchers carried out a meta-analysis, i.e. they evaluated the results of 22 existing studies with regard to the effects of micro-pauses.
AreaHow meaningful are the results?open
According to the researchers, the study shows that micro-breaks can reduce fatigue and increase energy levels.
In future studies, however, other emotional states such as anxiety or tension would also have to be analyzed.
The psychologist Friedhelm Nachreiner criticizes, among other things, that too few studies have been evaluated and that there is not enough differentiation between fatigue and perceived fatigue.
Many workers still felt that breaks could be perceived as "counterproductive behavior," it said.
With a view to the positive effects, the researchers therefore advocate that managers should actively encourage their employees to take micro-breaks in the future.
The short breaks in everyday university life could also help students to recharge their batteries – for example in lectures or when studying on the computer.
Too few studies examined
However, there are also doubts about the investigation.
The psychologist Friedhelm Nachreiner criticizes that the authors evaluated too few studies and did not take note of standard literature.
Nachreiner is chairman of the Society for Industrial, Economic and Organizational Psychology Research and was not involved in the study.
He also complains that the study participants assessed their energy levels and fatigue themselves.
"The authors do not distinguish clearly between fatigue and perceived fatigue," says the working hours researcher.
The authors of the study also explained that in addition to energy and tiredness, other states of mind, such as fear or tension, would also have to be analyzed in the future
The length of the breaks is individual
According to their own statements, the researchers were not able to answer how long a micro-break should last and when it should be taken.
According to Nachreiner, this cannot be fixed in general.
"Some people don't need a break that quickly, while others need it earlier and longer," explains the labor time researcher.
“Five minutes for everyone – that would be nonsense, for example.”
Nachreiner goes on to say that the micro-breaks are not for relaxation, "but to prevent over-fatigue."
According to him, they therefore also have an influence on performance.
And should not be taken too late.
aba/dpa
