What if a break could be more than just a coffee? Breaks are vital to the smooth running of a business. They are not only a moment of respite, they also improve the mental and physical health of employees. So why not take advantage of these moments to take healthy and meaningful breaks?
The importance of breaks at work
Recovering, chatting, walking... Any means is good for resting our brains. But how important is a break really?
- Reducing stress: According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 70% of workers say that short breaks improve their mood and reduce work-related tension (Psico-Smart, 2024).
- Well-being: A study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that 83% of employees believe that well-planned breaks improve their overall well-being (Psico-Smart, 2024).
- Improve concentration: NASA studies show that 20-minute breaks increase productivity by 35% and concentration by 50%.
But to take it a step further, here are five key points for making breaks at work truly healthy.
5 tips for taking a healthy break at work
- Nutrition: Diet plays a key role in our well-being. Fresh seasonal fruit and local products rich in vitamins, such as those from Vergers de Gally, provide essential nutrients for health and energy. Offering baskets of fresh fruit or balanced snacks is an excellent way to nourish your team during breaks. And to go even further, why not offer healthy, varied, and responsible catering options directly at the workplace?
- Hydration: Drinking enough water is crucial for maintaining concentration and avoiding fatigue. With Castalie water coolers, offer your employees a choice between still or sparkling water to appeal to as many people as possible and ensure quality hydration throughout the day.
- Light physical activity: Take advantage of your break to get some exercise: go for a walk in the park, stretch, or do some yoga exercises. This helps relax your muscles, improve blood circulation, and reduce physical tension.
- A moment to disconnect: Far from screens and discussions about work, a truly healthy break also means taking a moment for yourself. Going to a park, not talking about work during lunch, and recharging your batteries without distractions allows you to regain energy and serenity.
- Promote social cohesion: Use this time to chat, exchange ideas, laugh, and strengthen bonds with your coworkers. It's an opportunity to share enjoyable moments and create a positive atmosphere within the team.
How can you make your breaks sustainable?
Making your breaks sustainable is possible with a few thoughtful choices:
- Fresh, local, and seasonal fruit: Choosing fresh, local, and seasonal produce not only supports the local economy, but also provides healthy options for your teams. Les Vergers de Gally offers baskets of fresh fruit, delivered directly to your workplace. These high-quality fruits, grown using short supply chains, are rich in vitamins and flavor. With an eco-responsible commitment ranging from zero waste and zero plastic to zero waste, Les Vergers de Gally offers up to 30 varieties of apples and pears, putting their expertise to work in selecting fruit to offer delicious and environmentally friendly products.
- Committed solutions for hydration: With solutions such as water coolers, you can reduce the use of plastic bottles and offer local, microfiltered water that is environmentally friendly. Our water coolers for businesses, tailored to your needs, provide high-quality hydration. In addition to protecting the environment, they help limit CO₂ emissions associated with the transportation of bottled water. A Castalie water bottle Castalie nine times less impact than a plastic water bottle.
- A redesigned food offering: What if you went even further? In addition to fresh fruit and proper hydration, rethink your lunch break. Foodles offers connected refrigerators in the workplace, combining convenience, quality, and environmental commitment. Balanced, local, and responsible meals are available at any time for your teams. It's the perfect combination for a sustainable break at every level.
- A redesigned smoking area: Sustainability doesn't stop at your office doors. Cigarette butts are a major environmental issue: a single butt can pollute up to 500 liters of water and takemore than 12 years to decompose. To transform your smoking areas into eco-friendly zones, Cy-Clope offers a comprehensive, 100% French solution. The company supports you in waste collection throughCy-Clopeurs—customizable designer ashtrays that offer optimal traceability andenergy recovery from waste. This allows you to strengthen your environmental approach while providing a cleaner environment for your employees.
Conclusion
In short, healthy and engaging breaks are a real lever for improving employee well-being and company productivity. By incorporating nutritional, hydration, physical activity, and disconnection solutions, you can help create a healthier, more efficient, and more sustainable work environment. Want to take your breaks to the next level? Discover our solutions for improving quality of life at work while supporting responsible and committed practices. Contact us today.
