Reading time: 2 min • Michèle Marie Holm • November 4, 2025
Have we forgotten what breaks do for us?
Even a few minutes of break can make a difference.
“Pause shame.”
A new phrase, but an old problem.
Have you heard of it? And have we really reached a point as workplaces and as humans where we feel guilty for taking a break? Even when we need one?
The other day, after a meditation session with us, a participant said she could barely enjoy the meditaiton because she could hear her colleagues continuing to work. She felt bad for taking a break.
It’s a story we hear again and again:
We want to perform but we’ve forgotten that breaks are a prerequisite for being able to perform.
Why breaks feel wrong and why they are actually necessary
Our body and mind need recovery several times a day.
Not just in the evening.
Not just on weekends.
But in the middle of the workday, when the brain is overloaded and decision fatigue begins to set in.
If we only allow ourselves to take a break when everyone else does, we risk running out of energy long before the workday ends and in the worst case, burning out.
Even a few minutes of pause can make a significant difference:
- 5 minutes of quiet with your eyes closed
- A few deep breaths
- A short walk
- A trip up and down the back stairs or simply to the coffee machine
- A brief guided meditation that resets the nervous system
Breaks don’t have to be big to have a big impact.
We think better when we’re not trying so hard
One of my favourite stories is about Niels Bohr.
He prioritised his breaks almost as highly as his work even on the busiest days.
The break wasn’t a distraction from the important work.
It was part of the important work.
Zetland wrote an excellent article about exactly this:
We live in a “tiredness society.” One solution? Niels Bohr’s method.
We need breaks. Not as a luxury, but as part of the foundation for healthy work life, mental clarity, and strong performance.
Author
Michèle Marie Holm combines meditation with business expertise. Inspired by mindfulness from a young age, Michèle blends practical strategies with a focus on balance and well-being. Her mission is to help professionals build sustainable, stress-free careers while cultivating inner peace and clarity.
