Taking a Break: How Does It Benefit Meetings?

Just as in any other workplace scenario, breaks are an essential component of meetings – they help prevent burnout, avoid health issues and re-energise everyone to increase productivity.

While breaks will add to the overall length of a meeting, seminar or conference, they assure that every minute in the meeting room is productive.

Raise the level of productivity
Since meetings usually run for a while, minds can become numb due to continuous stimulation – making our concentration inadequate for the task at hand. Allowing everyone to get back to their seats feeling regenerated and with a greater sense of purpose, breaks can significantly boost performance.

This kind of rejuvenation also helps the attendees to listen to the meeting more attentively and enables them to complete any tasks effectively.

Fuel creativity
Some people dread meetings because they can seem so repetitive in nature – who wants to attend the same old sessions and take part in similar discussions over and over again?

To add a little spice to your meetings, try something new every now and then to recharge everyone’s energy levels. Try showing some motivational or funny videos or include some ice breakers to reignite attendees’ interest in the topic of conversation.

Alleviates stress
Unreasonably long meetings can cause stress. As well as being overwhelming, non-stop activities and an abundance of information can cause fatigue. A break will allow people to perhaps step outside for a breath of fresh air.

Prevent poor physical condition
More than boosting productivity and reducing stress, breaks save the attendees from sitting for long hours. Studies reveal that people who sit for six hours a day, without standing or taking a break, are 18% more likely to suffer heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

Open up the opportunity to address concerns informally
There can be instances where some attendees have concerns which may not be directly related to the objective of the meeting. Breaks give everyone the opportunity to discuss their concerns and other subject matters that are perhaps not suitable for sharing in an open forum.

Serve as a reset button
Participants tend to be at their most receptive at the start of a meeting. As the meeting progresses, they tend to lose focus and start drifting away, thinking or talking about unrelated topics. Breaks will allow everyone to refresh their minds so that when they return to the room they are refocused and back on track with the purpose of the meeting.

You may also incorporate the following tips to help with meeting engagement:

– Refreshments are key – provide healthy snacks and beverages

– Comfort is important – prioritise comfort, no one wants to sit all day in uncomfortable chairs

– Think of ways that attendees can include activities during breaks that generate positive feelings

&Meetings understands the need for breaks in meetings. To achieve your objectives, try our outstanding meeting rooms in London… that include break areas for your convenience! For further information about our venues, please call 0800 073 0499.

Posted by Sara Cano

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