We live in a world of deadlines and deliverables. It’s easy to forget that we're not just cogs in a machine. Taking fun breaks at work isn't just a luxury; it's a tool for success.
According to an August 2022 study from researchers at West University of Timișoara, Romania, "Give me a break!" A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of micro-breaks for increasing well-being and performance, work demands can deplete psychological resources and lead to exhaustion and fatigue. After expending energy (physical or mental), recovery is needed. There are several possibilities to recover and build new resources (evenings, weekends or vacations and sabbaticals), but the study found that recovery also happens at shorter intervals during formal working hours, such as lunch breaks, scheduled breaks or micro-breaks.
No stranger to micro-breaks, Chemical Processing purposefully peppers in lighthearted content alongside our award-winning articles to give your brain a chance to reset.
For starters, we have our Comical Processing cartoons, which contain masterpieces from cartoonist Jerry King. Each of these gems has at least a dozen captions from our readers. Need to recharge the creative batteries? Poke around the page and picture yourself in these comical situations.
Another way to take a break from work while still learning something useful is to check out the Chemical Reaction blog. It’s a snarky, lighthearted look at what’s going on in the chemical industry. Spun from personal viewpoints, the entries often tell you more than you need to know about our editors’ lives. . . but there’s a reason for everything and we do attempt to bring it all back to the target: chemical processing.
We also offer quick quizzes aimed at testing your knowledge – but not in a judgy way. These quizzes will pop up from time to time on our site – think of them as a fun timer going off to force you into a break. All of these interludes serve as creativity boosters and stress busters. The goal is to help you make your plant as efficient, safe, environmentally friendly and economically competitive as possible. The science says that some of the best ideas come when you're relaxed.
