Need a break? These apps are here to help
Being able to work non-stop sounds impressive, but it’s definitely not the best way to treat your mind and body. Sure, it’s important to make every minute count, but you’re not wasting time if you pause for a little while to let yourself rest.
Let those piles of admin work and other duties take a backseat even for a moment so that you can give yourself time to breathe. If you’re an entrepreneur or a freelancer, it can be tricky to determine your breaks since you’re the only one in charge of your schedule. How do you know if you’re taking too many breaks or too few?
Check out these amazing apps that will help you create healthier and better work habits. By using them, you can ensure that neither your productivity nor your mental health will suffer.
Stretching and exercises
Sitting for long periods every day can lead to varying health concerns. So stand up, walk around, and do some stretches in between tasks — these small physical activities will surely keep your blood properly circulating.
Stand Up! is an iOs app that functions as a work-break timer. It basically encourages you to stand up and move around during your break time. Meanwhile, StretchClock Break Reminder is a Firefox add-on that lets you know if it’s time to step away from your computer and do some exercises. It has a bunch of basic stretches and yoga exercises that you can do during your break.
The Pomodoro Technique
You’ve probably heard of this productivity hack as many people have already attested to its effectivity. The method is very simple: you work for X minutes, take a break for Y minutes, and repeat. A 25-minute work phase and a 5-minute break are commonly used, so this means that you work on a task for 25 minutes straight, take a break for five minutes, then work for 25 minutes again, and so on.
There are many great apps for creating your pomodoros. One of them is the PomoDoneApp, which can be installed on Mac, Windows, and Linux. You can also integrate it with popular project management tools like Trello, Asana, Jira, Basecamp, and Slack. For mobile phones, there are the ClearFocus (Android) and Focus Keeper Free (iOs) apps.
Meditation
Managing a business or juggling numerous tasks often results in high-stress situations. Taking some time to free your mind from worry would certainly do you a lot of good especially in the long run. Meditation can give you more clarity and positivity, which consequently enables you to do better.
It can be tough to find some peace and quiet especially when you’re in the city, but there are apps that can help you meditate wherever you are. Calm is one of the most reliable mindfulness meditation apps out there. In Calm, you can set the duration of your meditation break, and it will walk you through some meditation exercises complete with nature sounds and a calming narration.
Apart from these apps, there is also one other practical solution that would allow you to take a break more often — delegating your tasks. If you can’t afford to hire a full-time office employee, you can try enlisting virtual assistant services. Having a virtual assistant isn’t as expensive as getting a regular employee, but it’s definitely as effective in accomplishing projects and tasks.
Next: 10 Productivity Apps That Young Entrepreneurs Should Know
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