I tried these short breaks for 1 month. Here’s how it went.
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| Hello, my name is A.L., and I’m an editor at Healthline. I used to be a teacher, but now I put my biochem degree to use by combing through research papers, learning what they can teach us about our health, and sharing that with you. |
| When I started working from home full-time several years ago, I relished the newfound freedoms that remote work offered me. But it didn’t take long to realize I wasn’t taking advantage of them. For the most part, I was sitting at my desk for most of the day. |
| Some experts recommend taking microbreaks (short breaks lasting up to 5 minutes every 20 to 30 minutes) to help break up sedentary behaviors. Advocates claim they may offer physical and mental health benefits or even improve work performance. |
| I incorporated these breaks into my workday for a month to see if I noticed any differences in my productivity or well-being. Today, I want to share my experience with you in case it may help you, too. |
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Let’s break it down,
A.L. Heywood
Editor, Healthline
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Written by A.L. Heywood
May 7, 2025 • 3 min read |
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| I took microbreaks every day for 1 month and learned a lot along the way |
| Experts typically suggest taking microbreaks that last 2 to 3 minutes every 20 to 30 minutes, but recommendations vary. As I have high blood pressure, I opted to follow the recommendation from a study that found 5-minute breaks every 30 minutes were most beneficial for cardiovascular health. I recommend doing whatever works best for you. |
| The key component to microbreaks is breaking the (sitting) pattern and doing something different. It doesn’t have to be long or take you out of your workflow. This could look like going outside to check your mailbox, grabbing a snack from your kitchen, or doing breathing exercises. I often used them for quick outdoor play breaks with my puppy. |
| Like all strategies, microbreaks have pros and cons. The most significant benefit that I noticed was the energy boost. There was no sense of fatigue when it was time to shut down my computer for the day. I felt like I had the energy to perform life’s other tasks. I could’ve even kept working for hours if I wanted to. (But don’t let my boss know that.) |
| Adding regular microbreaks to my schedule wasn’t as easy as I thought. It took dedication and planning. However, based on what I’ve experienced over these 30 days, I think it’s worth continuing to take them. The benefits have been clear to me, and I’m excited to see if any new ones may reveal themselves over time. |
| Read my full article to find out how the rest of this experience went and, if you’re interested, some tips for creating a successful microbreak plan for yourself. |
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