Solo Business Owners: Want to Be More Productive? Take a Break

As a solo business owner, do you work long and crazy hours? Do you often skip lunch and wolf down a sandwich at your desk? Or do you sometimes sit so long staring at your computer that your back aches and your eyes melt? If you answered "no" to any of the questions above, stop reading this blog post. But if you answered "yes," read on, because the fact is that working 24/7 isn't good for your health and wellbeing, and it isn't even good for business.

Let me make a suggestion, if you've been working non-stop for more than three hours: get up and take a break. A break, you say? Who me? Yes, you.

Don't worry. I'm not suggesting that you take the rest of the day off. I'm talking about taking a few minutes to stretch or knocking off for lunch, or heading to the gym for an exercise break.

If you're still not convinced that it makes good business sense to take regular breaks, here are three reasons they're great for your bottom-line:

1. You will be more productive - Let's face it, sitting in an office chair, working on a project, no matter how much you love it, can be tiring. And when you're worn out, you're not doing your best work. So why force yourself to sit there hour after hour? Cut yourself some slack and I'll be willing to bet that when you return to your desk you'll be more focused and productive.

2. You will gain a new perspective - Sometimes, when we're bound to our desks we can lose perspective or get stuck, whether we're trying to solve a customer problem or write a new blog post. When that happens, step away from your desk for a little while. Chances are that a change of scenery will shift your perspective so that you're more creative when you return to your "work station."

3. It does your body good - As my yoga instructor often reminds us in class, our bodies are meant to move. So when we sit around all day at our desks, our bodies tend to rebel, making us more vulnerable to back and hand pain, eye problems, and even headaches. Taking frequent breaks helps combat these problems. Again, you don't need to leave your desk for an extended period. Go get a glass of water or a healthy snack. Or take a stroll over to the window and look outside. Doing so will give your eyes a chance to focus on a point farther away than your computer screen, which, as my ophthalmologist reminds me, is good for our eyes. Another idea is to take a micro break every hour or two that don't even require you to leave your office chair. These can really help if you're feeling stressed out or tired. During your mini break, close your eyes gently and feel your feet against the floor. Connect to your natural breath, feeling it move in and out of your nostrils. Then, take a few deep breaths in through your nose. When you inhale, observe your breath as it travels up into your belly and chest and into your throat. When you exhale, watch your breath descend, as it travels from your throat, into your chest and into your abdomen. Continue this practice for a few minutes or for as long as it's helpful and comfortable. See if you notice a difference afterwards. I find that this exercise helps me release tension in my body and mind so I'm more focused and productive.

How do you think you could benefit from integrating regular breaks into your day?

What could you do to ensure that you take energy breaks?

Would you like to be more focused and productive in your business and in your life, in general? If so, I'd love to help out! Visit my website at http://www.wellnessjourneys.com to sign up for a coaching package that's right for you, or to schedule a complimentary session. Since coaching sessions are conducted by phone, I can work with clients anywhere in the world!

To learn more about how you can be more productive and less stressed, sign up for my e-newsletter, here, on Stepping Stones, at the top of the page.

Wellness Journeys: A Holistic Approach to Coaching

Ellen H. Brown is a certified professional coach, based in Cleveland, Ohio.

http://www.wellnessjourneys.com/blog