How long should a movement break at work be?
A short 5 to 10 minute break is one practical option for adding movement to a desk workday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) workplace guide includes activities for breaks that length. For display-screen work, UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance says short, frequent breaks work better than taking a longer break less often.
What can you do in a short break?
Keep it simple. The CDC guide includes stretching, desk exercises, and short group walks among its workplace activity ideas. Choose an activity that fits your space and feels comfortable for you. The guide advises people to start gradually and stop if something hurts.
A movement break can be a change of position or a brief walk. It does not need to become a full workout. The goal here is to make room for movement during a workday.
How often should you take one?
There is no single timetable for every job. For display-screen work, the UK HSE gives an example of a 5 to 10 minute break every hour and says this is preferable to a 20 minute break every two hours. Your work schedule and workplace guidance may differ.
The CDC workplace guide offers short activity-break ideas, but it does not prescribe how often each person should take them. Use the timing guidance that applies to your work, and ask a health professional about activity that fits your individual needs.
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Frequently asked questions
How long should a movement break at work be?
A short break of 5 to 10 minutes is one practical option. The CDC workplace guide includes activities designed for breaks of that length. The right schedule depends on your work and circumstances.
How often should I take a movement break?
There is no single schedule for every desk worker. UK HSE display-screen guidance gives 5 to 10 minutes every hour as an example of short, frequent breaks, and says they are preferable to a longer break every two hours.