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Research is proving that the human brain needs breaks and that back-to-back video meetings without breaks induce an accumulation of stress levels and decrease the ability to focus and engage. The spike of stress also happens when transitioning from one meeting to the next one.

More information: Research proves your brain needs breaks

Most employees and managers have had such experience in the new era of virtual work (or work-from-home). However, the reality is that this situation also happened at the office when back-to-back face-to-face meetings were scheduled for the whole morning/afternoon/day.

How to manage such situation for the best outcome of everyone?

Very simple! Make breaks! Take breaks! Schedule breaks!

How to organize your agenda?

Companies, managers and employees have a role to play in setting up better practices for scheduling meetings. Improved features in Calendar tools would also greatly facilitate the process.

For example, a 30mn-meeting could last 25min and provide a 5min break. Or a 1h-meeting could be reduced to 45min and provide a 15min break before the next one. Alternatively, the 1h-meeting can become 50min with 10min break. However, such a new convention must be reflected in calendar appointments and visible in calendars. Else meetings will naturally revert back to 30min or 1h. And all positive effects of breaks on the brain will vanish.

More information: Research proves your brain needs breaks