Do's and Don'ts in 5 min Break

Question

I just started using the Pomodoro Technique but am faced with a problem:

I seem to like the 30 mins break and they actually work as stress busters and I stay more focused longer. However, I am confused what to do in the 5 min break.

If I peek at my inbox, there is no chance that I'll be returning in under 15 minutes. Similarly, if I get up to walk/stretch a bit, I feel an urge to go drink/eat something which consumes about 10 minutes.

Unlike this, I want advise regarding what musts and must nots to be done in the 5 mins.

Answer 1

I would do 'anything that moves you away from the screen', and particularly 'anything that involves face-to-face interaction with another human being'. I go for things like:

• Writing (with pen) thank you cards
• making tea for officemate
• checking postroom for mail
• 'walk down corridor jobs' so that's things like checking that the boss is in, popping by another office to check what time we're going for lunch. (from a cynical perspective, this is also your 'being seen' time.)

Answer 2

According to the Book by Francesco Cirillo, you are not supposed to do something that taxes your mind or related to work. So that's a definite "Must-not"

During this quick break, it’s not a good idea to engage in activities that call for any significant mental effort. For example, don’t start talking about work-related issues with a colleague; don’t write important emails or make imperative phone calls, etc. Doing these kinds of things would block the constructive mental integration that you need in order to feel alert and ready for the start of the next Pomodoro. You should include these activities in your Activity Inventory, and earmark specific Pomodoros to do them. Clearly, during this break you shouldn’t continue thinking about what you’ve done during the last Pomodoros. Once the break is over, set the Pomodoro to 25 minutes and continue the activity at hand until the next time it rings. Then mark another X on the To Do Today Sheet (fig. 2.5).

Answer 3

Sometimes its not about 'doing' something. Not doing anything also has some value.

Pomodoro break is an excellent time just to close your eyes and observe/meditate; or as zen says just be.

This definitely helps in constructive mental integration as Francesco Cirillo puts it.

Pranayama is another interesting option to try out.

Answer 4

I had to come up with my own list of do's and don'ts for my five minute break.

Some of the things I do:

• Get a cup of coffee
• Go to the bathroom
• Grab a snack
• Glance at Twitter
• Check my blog for new comments
• Get up and stretch, but don't leave the desk area
• Stare at a wall

Some things I don't do:

• Check my RSS feeds
• Return phone calls
• Start chatting with people
• Pull out something I'd been wanting to read
• Do anything on YouTube

Those latter things, I know, will turn into 15 minute tasks. I really just want to rest my brain for five minutes so that I'm ready to dive back in when the alarm sounds. The other things can wait for a longer break.

Answer 5

I have a ball of whacks and a yo-yo on my desk for that purpose. Implementing my fine motor skills, they work perfectly for both mind-switching and cracking the problem that I feel stuck on. Running up-and-down the stair-way also takes from 3-5 minutes for me (couple of floors are normally enough). I, actually, took these and some more tips from this blog post.

Hope you’ll find it helpful too!

Answer 6

I don't think there are any "musts" for the 5 min break. However, the point as I see it is to do something other than work. In that regard, checking your mail is perhaps not a good idea.

Getting some fresh air, a cup of coffee or a snack, or thinking about what to do in the weekend are better options.

Since measuring my breaks, I am surprised with what you can do in only 5 minutes :-)

Answer 7

I'm playing Pomodorium - pomodoro technique game for 5 min.

Answer 8

Quite often, you have an "interruptions" list during the Pomodoro, full of little things like terms you would like to look up or quick messages you want to send out. You can do most of those terms in the short break.

But I would recommend just doing a few light stretches if you can.