How often should you take breaks for maximum productivity?

Question

When working on a project, how often should you take breaks and for how long for maximum productivity? Are there any studies or research on optimal use of breaks (universally), or is it more of a personal, subjective thing?

Answer 1

I don't know of any specific studies I can point to your question directly right now but:

1. In a class of pedagogy I was told that classes should be no longer than 50m because after that focus and concentration are severely impaired, and anything beyond 1h30m does not get assimilated at all. This seems to validate that: The Effect of Class Duration on Academic Performance and Attendance in an Introductory Computer Class

2. Always found the "pomodoro" 25m/5m technique very effective in keeping the momentum going.
   The Pomodoro Technique

Answer 2

Short answer: Take preciously 5 min breaks every 25 min of work. Every 2 hours of work, take a longer break (around half an hour).

Further reading of Pomodoro technique might help you with more details.

Answer 3

For myself;

In the face of computer, I generally give a break 15 minutes for every hour. If I read a book, personally prefer taking 30 minutes break every 90 minutes. But the point is; if you get bored or tired, take a break. But do it regularly

Answer 4

While a lot depends on the person, I think, also from experiences in teaching, that anything beyond 50/60m without a break is, on average, and for the vast majority of people, detrimental to concentration. To enforce these breaks, I've personally recently had some good experiences with Instant Boss. The only downside to this is that these strict break timings often interfere with creative bursts or states of flow, where it would actually be better to continue working as long as the state lasts. While Instant Boss has an easy dismiss function, I don't usually start it when I'm writing, since it hinders me more than it helps.

Answer 5

I also cannot point to any subjective answers but from my experience, I find that it is largely dependent on the nature of the project.

• Project with lots of meetings, concentration or abstract thoughts - about 1 hour with a 5mins break, and than a 30mins break after 4hours.
• Project with large physical component, about 30mins with a 5min break, and then a 45 min break after 4 hours.

It largely reflect a typical working day for me, starting with morning session, following by the lunch break and then finish the day with the afternoon session.

Answer 6

I use a tool that helps me set regular breaks when working. It also helps me to stay focus on tasks and get more things done in a short period of time. Using this tool it allows me to take a break in every 2 hours of work I take 15 minutes break, which helps me relax a bit and try to regain sanity.

Answer 7

I've been trying to adapt a "90 minutes with 30 minute break afterwards" cycle. (I thought I read somewhere that 90 minutes was as long as you could realistically get productive work done - I think this idea came from the Outliers book).

I've just started it these last few days, so there is that. I think the canonical Pomodoro technique would be too short to get actual knowledge work done, but maybe those who have actually tried it in a knowledge work context can chime in here.

Answer 8

Pomodoro has really worked for me. Once you get started, it is difficult to do only one Pomodoro!