Taking breaks from work: An exploratory inquiry

Two studies concerned with taking breaks from either mental or physical wor k are presented. In the first study, a questionnaire was given to 101 stude nts in which they answered questions about their own break taking and that of others. They also completed a time management questionnaire and scales a bout procrastination, self-esteem, and work overload. In the second study, 17 students kept detailed diaries of their daily break-taking behavior over a 6-week period. Results are discussed in terms of the types of reasons gi ven for taking breaks and the possible discrepancies between such reasons a nd the actual activities engaged in during breaks.