Micropauses

When working at an office desk for several hours a day it is important that you refresh your muscles that have been tense whilst you have been working. A micropause is a 5 second break around every 3 minutes or so.

It only takes 5 seconds to relax the muscles when held for short periods of time such as 3 minutes. When you don’t take micropauses, for example when a muscle is held tense for longer periods of time, it can take several hours to restore the muscle to normal. It is therefore essential that you include micropauses into your work routine to avoid muscle tension.

Micropauses can be built in to your working day naturally. For example, when you answer the telephone, or take a drink.

How to Micropause;

• Stop work during a natural break in your rhythm
• Stretch out with both your arms
• Rest both hands either on your office desk or drop them by your sides
• Relax your shoulders and let your elbows hang loose
• Take a deep breath and as you breathe out let the tension release from your arms
• After a few seconds recommence work