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What are the most effective work from home practices during COVID-19? What are the most effective work from home practices during COVID-19?
Behave as though you're going to work Behave as though you're going to work
Take a break Take a break
Sustain communication with your colleagues Sustain communication with your colleagues
Clothes maketh the man. Clothes maketh the man.
A designated work space ensures productivity. A designated work space ensures productivity.
Take five for every twenty-five Take five for every twenty-five
A lunch hour for the soul. A lunch hour for the soul.
Maintain regular hours Maintain regular hours
Breakfree from the stress- go outside. Breakfree from the stress- go outside.
Ensure everyone is aligned Ensure everyone is aligned
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What are the most effective work from home practices during COVID-19?
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Take a break

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Take five for every twenty-five

Take five minutes to walk around, or stretch your legs, every twenty five minutes. Experts call this the 'Pomodoro Technique'. It will alleviate feelings of being stuck in one place.
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Context

As argued by Meijman & Mulder (2013), "Employees need a sufficient amount of both motivation and ability to perform at their full potential ", a statement that demonstrates support for the argument of micro-breaks. Regardless of work ethic, individuals need a fulfilling work and health balance: micro-breaks of five-minute intervals can positively reinforce this by aiding employees in looking after their mental well being whilst remaining productive and motivated. This work-life balance is particularly of paramount importance when amidst global concerns, such as the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19.[1]

The Argument

Studies show that taking micro breaks in between work hours enhances productivity. [2]Sitting for prolonged hours at the same place can cause a range of health conditions like back pain, obesity, eye problems and so on. When working from home we are more susceptible to sitting in the same place for a longer time due to limitation of work space along with its comfort value. Using the Pomodoro technique, which essentially involves taking five minutes breaks every 25 minutes, helps maintain focus and work flow by regulating internal and external interruptions.[3] In addition to that it also helps alleviates the feeling of being stuck in the same place and increases that of accomplishment, much needed in times like these. Walking around the house or even stretching the muscles of arms and legs helps blood circulation and keeps us physically and mentally active. Turning away from the screen gives our eyes a much required rest as well as helps the mind decompress. This time can also be used by people to check in on children and the elderly and give belly rubs to furry friends by pet owners.

Counter arguments

Taking multiple micro breaks while working from home can waste a lot of time due to interaction with distractions. If self-motivation is an issue for an individual going back to work can prove even more difficult for them. It then lessens the work output which can cause additional stress which is an unneeded burden, especially in an already stressful situation. While the Pomodoro technique may work for some, its structure might be too rigid for others. The pressure of accomplishing the task in 25 minutes can be more distracting than fruitful.[4]

Premises

Rejecting the premises

Further Reading

https://careerstint.com/why-is-it-important-to-take-breaks-at-

References

  1. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-wide-wide-world-psychology/201704/why-and-how-you-should-take-breaks-work
  2. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190312-the-tiny-breaks-that-ease-your-body-and-reboot-your-brain
  3. https://www.focusboosterapp.com/blog/the-hidden-benefits-of-the-pomodoro-technique/
  4. https://www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work/taking-breaks
This page was last edited on Wednesday, 1 Jul 2020 at 21:07 UTC

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