A packed schedule is dreaded by many of us. You’re not alone if you’ve ever felt drained by back-to-back meetings. A 2019 survey by organizational consultancy Korn Ferry found that 67% of professionals cannot make more of an impact due to too much time in meetings. Meetings can cause anxiety for more than just reasons. Our brains work differently when we attend too many meetings and seldom take breaks.
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Study Finds Stress Levels Spiked Amid
Back-To-Back Meetings
An electroencephalogram device monitored electrical activity in the brains of 14 people during video calls in 2021 conducted by Microsoft’s Human Factors Lab. A higher level of stress was evident in the brains of those who didn’t get breaks between meetings. A higher level of engagement was observed in participants’ brains after breaks between meetings.
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Making the Most Of Breaks In Meeting
Marathons
Rather than rushing through meetings, take a short break. Repeat the breathing in for 3 seconds and out for 6 seconds. Avoid scrolling on social media or reading your email during your vacations if you want your breaks to have more impact. Taking more breaks and avoiding marathon meetings can help your teams succeed if you’re a manager.
Rosie Acosta, holistic health coach, and mindfulness teacher, state that when we are focused on a task, we tend to create tension in our bodies, stop breathing and remain in that tension all day long. “Taking short breaks to breathe or relax your shoulders will give your body the space it needs to feel relaxed.”