Workplace Employee Break Room Antidote to Stress

Most of us know about being on the hamster treadmill of life and work. Depending on the job, it comes sooner or later; the repetitious nature of our job description gnaws away at our patience, and the day seems longer than 8 hours. When we have to work, we find ways to cope. And while coping works to a point, the routine is getting to us, even as we console ourselves with the thought that what we're doing is building character. We're taking our breaks as advised, but they're so short that we don't think we can manage them. And breaks don't seem to refresh our brains because it's hard to detach ourselves from what we were doing just moments before. Having longer breaks sounds great, but we'll have a harder time getting back into the groove. So how can we take that sliver of time and fashion it into something that improves how we do things?  Value of mini-breaks noted. Research suggests that breaks, even very short ones, are beneficial. In a 2014 study by researchers at Kansas State University, who contacted 72 full-time employees from a variety of industries, those who spent one or two minutes during breaks in their day playing games such as Candy Crush on their phones reported being happier than their peers. Employees reported spending 22 minutes playing video games during an eight-hour workday.

According to recent figures, about 75% of U.S. employees have access to employer-sponsored wellness programs, but participation remains very low. Increased healthcare costs and diminishing worker productivity are making employee wellness programs more important than ever. Though many traditional employee health initiatives are largely ineffective, there is hope: employee wellness programs that use technology and game mechanics can increase engagement and reward participation.

Diversions are planned activities that engage and entertain. Distractions start as reactions to things around us; if we're not watchful, they'll invade our subconscious and cause us to miss deadlines. Also, the less disciplined we are, the more prone we are to distractions. Good diversions, to keep them from becoming distractions, are fully intentional and appropriate to the situation at hand. A poorly conceived diversion will disrupt and distract. A well-planned diversion has exact parameters and offers something to everyone. Goofing off is a product of being easily distracted and might be a sign that it's time to start looking into developing smart diversions.

We're all very unique creatures, but have some common features that make us the social beings we are. At work, we're surrounded by people with different skill levels and backgrounds. Placed in the same room or office together, we're naturally curious to know something about others, and shy people aren't exempt from being curious. The curiosity comes from wanting to relate, to feel accepted, and it's about learning tolerance, something managers like to encourage. It's natural to want to forge a common ground with coworkers, but the means to do that aren't always in place at work. Hence, the well-planned diversion provides a safe way for employees to interact and gives everyone a chance to get lost for a few minutes each day. A well-chosen diversion offers easy access, is easy to control, and sets a high standard for what's an appropriate activity during breaks and downtime. It also has universal appeal, so no matter people's backgrounds, the activity will be a hit.

Wherever time is short, a diversionary activity with the greatest potential to relieve and lift the mind has a strong element of play. The element of play is like a change of scenery, providing such a potent diversion from the tedium of work that it feels like taking time off for a stroll in the park. So, while the “all work and no play” employers make few allowances for self-expression and fun on the job, they're not giving their people enough breathing space. Play isn't strictly a “kid thing,” but when kids don't play, we fear there's something wrong. When adults don't play, we've accepted that as normal, even though adults complain endlessly about feeling bored, stressed out, and unfulfilled. Not machines: people need frequent scene changes to experience things from another angle or to use a different part of the brain to freshen their attitude. Because most jobs require a specialized skill set that uses the brain in a pattern-based, sustained way, stress levels shoot up when there's no handy relief valve nearby. As technology has entered our lives in a major way, our interactions with machines have greatly increased, but our need for personal growth and meaningful work is unchanged. The break now seems to be a bigger deal than imagined; we just weren't managing it right. So instead of repeating the same old daily routine where work and break are barely distinguishable, we change the scene to one that doesn't look so much like work. The “scene” in this case can be literal or virtual; what matters is that the chosen activity engages the mind in a playful and restive way. The level of engagement can range from passive (video games, crossword puzzles, etc.) to more active pursuits that engage more senses (light exercise, shuffleboard tables, ping pong, etc.)

Your play-at-work options are a matter of management enlightenment, but employees can feel free to broach the subject because the benefits are clear and measurable. The more active the play level, the better, but because of time limits, it can't involve setup or driving to a facility across town. Looking for the perfect solution that offers easy access and simplicity, some managers have discovered the merits of owning a shuffleboard table. Shuffleboard table or not, employers who put in place a program of play activities see employees become more sociable, cooperative, and in a relaxed frame of mind, sustained over long stretches of time. Employers also see improvements in greater employee retention, loyalty, and production. In short, employers who have organized on-site diversions have seen an overall improvement in employee satisfaction and job culture assimilation,n resulting in a win-win situation.

Returning to the passive and active levels of play engagement, all levels produce favorable results, but the more active pursuits deliver the best results for employee satisfaction. Passive diversions are more sedentary and solitary; one could stay at the same desk and not interact with anyone. A video game or crossword puzzle might alter the mind's escape for a bit, but it's all done in a vacuum, and there's no lasting afterglow on returning to that computer monitor.

When we engage in a playful diversion session, our thoughts drift to the passive thinking mode; we haven't completely stopped thinking about work, but it's put on a more relaxed level – in the background, and as we're engaged in playful activity, the mind is freed up long enough to find solutions to problems. Studies have shown how even 5 minutes spent playing a game during a break can be an efficient method of problem solving and creative thinking. Stepping away from a tricky task for a few minutes of gaming might spur a new perspective on a business problem or help to reset your mind during an especially difficult day, say experts.

A more active level of play could involve table shuffleboard, ping-pong, or pool, to name a few, because they involve a bit of skill, competition, concentration, and anticipation, which act as motivators. Since the shuffleboard table can be provided in-house, has few moving parts, and is the safest option, we'll stick with it. Although the skill and competitive aspects of table shuffleboarding are very mild compared to some serious sports, it provides a system of playful competition that effectively diffuses tension as it welcomes a needed change of scenery. Another benefit is it can be done at any age.

According to management experts, introduction of healthy diversions in the workplace is simply good business, not only for employee satisfaction – it's transforming business models everywhere by creating new ways to extend all relationships and promote customer and employee loyalty. Called “gamification” in management circles, it's combined with research on motivation and data generated by user interactions. Gamification empowers businesses to create distinction and loyalty, and table shuffleboarding is seen as an ideal modality for achieving it in the workplace.

Millennials, or the “always on” generation grew up playing games all of the time. In surveys of entrepreneurs and managers, the younger set of employees coming up through the ranks are seen as unsettled and difficult to manage, expecting foosball tables and access to a video game. Since the work force is always ageing, management must be cognizant of trends in the new playing field and attempt to meet recruit expectations in a competitive industry. A shuffleboard table, when compared to electronic entertainments like Xbox and the like, offers far greater opportunities for social interaction and reduces antisocial behavior spawned by solitary activity.