While working remotely saves a lot of time that would otherwise have been lost in commuting involving workplace and residence, a large drawback of this new work culture is the innumerable virtual meetings that persons have to endure without having a break. A new study has once more emphasised the value of brief breaks for the duration of the day. The study, performed by Microsoft’s Human Factors Lab, is becoming cited by major specialists to highlight the message that it is crucial for persons working remotely to take brief breaks for the duration of work to strengthen brain function and productivity.
Steph Smith performs as a senior analyst at The Hustle news outlet. On her individual web page, she says she loves working remotely and has also written about it on her weblog. The photograph she tweeted is from the Microsoft study that shows enhanced brain function when one requires brief breaks.
If you weren’t convinced of Zoom fatigue however, Microsoft’s Human Factors Lab measured brain activity of workers in 4 back-to-back meetings.
The outcome?
Without breaks, lots of pressure.
This is your friendly reminder to Marie Kondo your calendar.
???? significantly less pressure
???? more pressure pic.twitter.com/GKYvWn47pc— Steph Smith (@stephsmithio) April 22, 2021
The study measured brain activity of workers in 4 meetings, and mapped variations when they took brief breaks and when they did not. It showed pressure levels elevated for the duration of back-to-back meetings, suggesting that the participants had been withdrawn, or significantly less engaged, in the meeting, but remained steady when they had mediation breaks.
A lot of persons agreed with the findings and expressed their help on Twitter.
“Yes. Please stop the back-to-back calendar flexes,” commented Bryant Suellentrop on Smith’s post.
YES please quit the back to back calendar flexes.
— Bryant Suellentrop (@SullyBusiness) April 22, 2021
Another user went a step additional to recommend that persons need to open windows and get sunlight into their workspace for the duration of the brief breaks.
Absolutely.
Would also add… get some sunlight for the duration of these breaks, + open the windows for the duration of meetings/breaks.
— GKT (@garethkthomas) April 22, 2021
Michael Bohan, senior director of Microsoft’s Human Factors Engineering group, who oversaw the project, mentioned their study showed breaks are significant to make one really feel significantly less exhausted and also to strengthen the capability to concentrate and engage for the duration of such meetings.
Jared Spataro, CVP, Microsoft 365, mentioned the back-to-back meetings “that have become the norm” more than the previous year due to the pandemic are not sustainable.