By Clare Hodgkinson, Marketing Executive, Church House Conference Centre

In an increasingly hectic and busy world many professionals go all day with little or no breaks. With deadlines approaching, business deals to make, clients to meet and targets to reach, many individuals find themselves working throughout their lunch break, and working well into the evening and even the night.

According to BUPA, taking regular breaks is of great importance. This statement may come as no great surprise to you and you may still firmly hold the opinion that you simply do not have time due to a heavy workload. Actually, by not taking a break you are decreasing your productivity and increasing the chance of making errors and mistakes.

Taking breaks helps to maintain energy levels and minimise stress, help improve concentration and reduce the risk of getting headaches, muscle and joint stiffness, fatigue, and sore eyes (BUPA, 2009).

For individuals working in the events industry, taking a break is especially important due to the notoriously long hours, late nights and early mornings. What many people don’t appreciate is that guests at an event only see a small part of the efforts and time that is put into the organising, setting up and break down of an event. Furthermore, with pressure to meet deadlines and deliver an event of the upmost quality, dedicated events teams can sometimes overlook their own wellbeing.

It should also not be forgotten, however, that the same rule applies for delegates attending conferences and meetings. It is important that delegates have regular breaks, not only for their own health and wellbeing but also to help ensure that they get the most out of the event and can remember the key information or message that is being put across by the speakers.

There are many fun and interesting ways in which to use breaks, other than the obvious being teas, coffees and light refreshments. At Church House Conference Centre, delegates can experience a break with a difference by playing Wii Olympics on the Centre’s brand new 64” screens.

Alternatively, outside of conferences and meetings, some professionals make sure they make the most of their breaks by booking themselves into spas, such as The Sanctuary, for the ‘Sleep Retreat’. 25 minutes of this relaxing and meditative experience is said to provide total mind and body relaxation through the use of low frequency sound waves which cause a gentle vibration to relax the body and any muscle tension (The Sanctuary Spa, 2012).

This of course is a rather indulgent and I dare say expensive way to spend your break…if only every company included regular ‘Sleep Retreat’ sessions as fringe benefits!

www.churchhouseconf.co.uk

 

Sources of reference:

BUPA (2009) ‘The importance of taking breaks’ BUPA.

The Sanctuary (2012) ‘Sleep Retreat’. Available: http://www.thesanctuary.co.uk/spa-sound-wave-therapy.htm. Accessed: 24th January, 2012.