<p>I'd like to work as effectively as possible for 8-9 hours a day, whether at work or studying.</p>

<p>At some point in completing my major in psych I remember hearing about the importance of taking breaks while doing work (e.g., Trougakos and Hideg, 2009 on <a href="http://www.wlu.ca/documents/51434/Trougakos_Hideg_chapter_2009.pdf">momentary work recovery</a>). Gopher et al (1995) discuss  <a href="http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA296199">ultradian rhythms</a> and working for 90 minutes for every 15 minutes of break. Some methods like the pomodoro technique suggest 25 minutes of work for every 5 minutes of break, with a 15 minute break every 4 cycles.</p>

<ul>
<li><strong>Is there recent, widely-accepted research on what work-break rhythms work best?</strong> (Even if the research was done for specific tasks or for specific populations.)</li>
<li><strong>How does the optimal work-break rhythm vary by task, context, or other moderating factors?</strong></li>
</ul>

<h3>References</h3>

<ul>
<li>Gopher, D., Lavie, P., &amp; Zomer, J. (1995). Ultradian Rhythms in Prolonged Human Performance.</li>
<li>Trougakos, J. P., &amp; Hideg, I. (2009). Momentary work recovery: The role of within-day work breaks. Research in occupational stress and well-being, 7, 37-84.</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-12T02:55:35.347Z
this seems like something that would vary greatly from person to person and job to job.  Unfortunately,  statistical averaging  of large groups can obscure this kind of information.
Keegan Keplinger
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-30T21:23:38.127Z
light reading in practices of optimal productivity and creativity
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/tracking-wonder/201204/best-rest-practices-optimal-productivity-and-creativity
ICanFeelIt
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-30T01:40:10.807Z
Have you tried http://productivity.stackexchange.com/ ? What about this question: http://productivity.stackexchange.com/q/372/4903
congusbongus
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-30T01:57:28.637Z
thanks! the answer in that link mentions the general wisdom, but I'm trying to get more at some research-based results, even if for specific jobs!
arturomp
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-30T02:58:29.723Z
I agree with taal. It is good to have a link to an equivalent  question on productivity.SE, however that question largely focuses on suggestions (but I did see one reference). On cogsci it's more about the scientific theories and empirical evidence for why a particular method works.
Jeromy Anglim
<neuroscience><motivation><performance><io-psychology><well-being>
How long should I work before taking a break?
arturomp
# How long should I work before taking a break?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-05-09)

I'd like to work as effectively as possible for 8-9 hours a day, whether at work or studying.

At some point in completing my major in psych I remember hearing about the importance of taking breaks while doing work (e.g., Trougakos and Hideg, 2009 on [momentary work recovery](http://www.wlu.ca/documents/51434/Trougakos_Hideg_chapter_2009.pdf)). Gopher et al (1995) discuss [ultradian rhythms](http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA296199) and working for 90 minutes for every 15 minutes of break. Some methods like the pomodoro technique suggest 25 minutes of work for every 5 minutes of break, with a 15 minute break every 4 cycles.

* **Is there recent, widely-accepted research on what work-break rhythms work best?** (Even if the research was done for specific tasks or for specific populations.)
* **How does the optimal work-break rhythm vary by task, context, or other moderating factors?**

### References

* Gopher, D., Lavie, P., & Zomer, J. (1995). Ultradian Rhythms in Prolonged Human Performance.
* Trougakos, J. P., & Hideg, I. (2009). Momentary work recovery: The role of within-day work breaks. Research in occupational stress and well-being, 7, 37-84.

**Tags:** neuroscience, motivation, performance, io-psychology, well-being

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: this seems like something that would vary greatly from person to person and job to job.  Unfortunately,  statistical averaging  of large groups can obscure this kind of information.  
> **username_2**: light reading in practices of optimal productivity and creativity http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/tracking-wonder/201204/best-rest-practices-optimal-productivity-and-creativity  
> **username_3**: Have you tried http://productivity.stackexchange.com/ ? What about this question: http://productivity.stackexchange.com/q/372/4903  
> **username_0**: thanks! the answer in that link mentions the general wisdom, but I'm trying to get more at some research-based results, even if for specific jobs!  
> **username_4**: I agree with taal. It is good to have a link to an equivalent  question on productivity.SE, however that question largely focuses on suggestions (but I did see one reference). On cogsci it's more about the scientific theories and empirical evidence for why a particular method works.  

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## 0 answers

