Last week, the US Army released their new guidelines for optimal soldier performance, and the list includes “strategic and aggressive napping.” The first update to the manual in eight years reflects the growing science linking sleep and peak performance — something we know to be true beyond the military and across industries. Soldiers are now encouraged to take time for regular naps, in hopes of improving their mental and physical well-being, and the update is a much-needed reminder that we should all be taking time for breaks during the day.

We asked our Thrive community to share with us the small ways they incorporate strategic breaks during the day. Which of these will you try?

Take a real lunch break

“I’ve been working from home for seven months now, and even though I’m not in a physical office setting, I make sure to carve out time for a real lunch break each day. These breaks don’t just include nourishment for my body, but also time away from my work tasks of the day. I usually try to squeeze in some self-care ritual, whether it’s a walk, a meditation, or just listening to music. My lunch break allows me to take physical and mental space from the nitty gritty of my work day, whether I’m in lots of meetings or tying up loose ends on a project. I always find that I’m not as drained at the end of the day.”

Continue reading: https://thriveglobal.com/stories/how-to-take-strategic-breaks-work-day-stress-tips/