After a week off, I was eager to return to work and write my next article for INTIX Access. I opened my laptop enthusiastically, ready to draft a story — ironically, about the power of taking breaks. But halfway through, I hit a wall. My thoughts wandered, and despite having done the research, the words would not come. I distracted myself briefly by opening a couple of social media apps, but when I returned to my article, I still felt stuck. Then it dawned on me: I needed to practice what this story would be preaching. So, I stood up, left my home office, made and ate a sandwich, and stepped outside to enjoy the sunshine for a few minutes. By the time I returned to my desk, I was able to focus, and the words began to flow. It was a small pause, but it made all the difference.
This is precisely why stepping away during the workday is so important, especially in the fast-paced world of live event and entertainment ticketing. Professionals in this industry manage a wide range of important responsibilities, from building shows and developing software solutions to ensuring customer service excellence and fighting fraud. In such a dynamic environment, taking breaks may feel like a luxury. However, research shows that there is power in the pause.
“[Contrary] to the popular narrative of working long work hours, our research suggests that taking breaks within work hours not only does not detract from performance, but can help boost it,” Zhanna Lyubykh and Duygu Biricik Gulseren shared after analyzing more than 80 studies on workplace breaks with a group of university peers. Lyubykh is an assistant professor at Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business, researching employee well-being, leadership and workplace mistreatment. Gulseren is an assistant professor at York University’s School of Human Resources Management. She focuses on workplace health and well-being, leadership and equity, diversity and inclusion at work.
“Like batteries that need to be recharged, we all have a limited pool of physical and psychological resources,” they explained. “When our batteries run low, we feel depleted, exhausted and stressed out.”
Lyubykh and Gulseren added that continuing to work with minimal energy can strain well-being and performance. They reported, “In extreme cases, nonstop work can lead to a negative spiral: A worker tries to finish tasks despite their depleted state, is unable to do them well and even makes mistakes, resulting in more work and even fewer resources left to tackle those same tasks. This means that the more we work, the less productive and more exhausted we can become. Think about reading the same line for the fifth time, for example, and still not absorbing it.”
This is a challenge that can affect anyone in ticketing, regardless of their role or area of expertise. The good news is that there are simple strategies to help combat burnout and restore energy throughout the workday. Here are five suggestions to get you started:
1. Follow the 90-minute rule. Sleep scientist Nathaniel Kleitman, known as the father of modern sleep research and who served as Professor Emeritus in Physiology at the University of Chicago, discovered that our brains operate on a 90-minute rhythm, known as the Basic Rest-Activity Cycle (BRAC), during both sleep and wakefulness. BRAC influences not only our sleep patterns but also our cognitive performance while awake.
Tony Schwartz, CEO of The Energy Project and author of “The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working,” embraces the concept of BRAC and recommends working in 90-minute intervals to maximize performance. Taking a short break after such periods can restore focus and efficiency.
2. Take a 5-minute reset. Are you spending many non-stop hours in front of your screen? Many ticketing professionals do. A quick, five-minute break to step away, stretch or practice deep breathing can do wonders for recharging your mind and improving focus.
3. Stretch your body to stretch your mind. Incorporating movement breaks — such as standing, walking, stretching or even dancing — can help alleviate tension and improve circulation, ultimately leading to enhanced cognitive function. Depending on your role, certain activities may be more feasible than others. Can you step outside for some fresh air or take a walk around your venue? Stretch behind the ticket counter or your desk? Hop on the treadmill while you spend time with the INTIX community for Wednesday Wisdom?
“Engaging in physical activity during a break is effective for improving both well-being and performance,” reported Lyubykh and Gulseren. “Exercising is an especially valuable recovery tool for mentally demanding work. However, the positive effects of this break type are short-lived, and employees need to exercise on a regular basis to yield its benefits.”
4. Reset your energy with a friendly conversation. NCAA March Madness. The opening of the MLB season. The latest show you’re binging on Netflix. Your amazing kids or pets. Plans for the weekend. And more. Short, light-hearted conversations with your ticketing colleagues can provide an emotional reset, and it’s enjoyable to discuss your passions with others. A recent study also suggests that small talk is beneficial in the workplace.
“People generally feel better, have more positive social emotions and a sense of connection when engaging in small talk,” said Patrick Downes, assistant professor of management at the University of Kansas School of Business. “These little conversations go a long way in making us feel like we belong.”
5. Mindfulness and mini meditation. Simple deep-breathing exercises or a few minutes of mindful awareness can lower stress levels, reduce frustration and enhance problem-solving abilities, focus and productivity. Try this free one-minute meditation from Headspace to let go of stress.
Taking breaks during your workday isn't a luxury. It is essential for sustained performance and overall well-being. By acknowledging the science behind pauses and strategically integrating breaks into the workday, ticketing professionals can boost focus, lower stress and adopt a healthier approach to their demanding days. And if you're like me and decide to step away to grab a sandwich, whatever you do, don’t eat it at your desk!
You May Also Like
Want news like this delivered to your inbox weekly? Subscribe to the Access Weekly newsletter, your ticket to industry excellence.