get more from your break

As a local company I know used to call smoke breaka “air breaks” as everyone went outside at the same time and chucked a ball around if they didn’t smoke. This was a welcome break from the intensity of pair programming, but also made me wonder what else can be done to supercharge your other breaks?

• When was the last time you got given feedback?
  As someone for some while the kettle is boiling. If that’s putting them on the spot then ask them to think of some and let you know
• Attempt the Rubix cube
  This one is great. Thinking about a different problem can make returning to your current one easier to resolve
• Listen to a podcast
  This one is specifically designed to be the length of a tea break, but listening on faster speeds (as explained (here)[]) means you can develop as you brew!
• Network
  I hate corporate-ness of the term, but chatting to other devs or people in different areas can be really valuable. Knowing what they are upto and sharing ideas is great.
• Run
  – A little longer than a tea break admittedly but running is proven to stimulate people in a way that makes them more productive and happier. I think there is a reason in “the imitation game” they made such a point of depicting Alan Turin exercising durithe day. I think this is it

Sometime you actually to properly chill so sit and meditate or play ping pong and table football like we do!

A tea related development blog…How very English of me.

Hope this helps