Feeling twitchy? Fiddling with your phone? Slouching in your seat?

You probably need a break. We explored the break time habits of a range of people in different careers to understand their role and importance. From civil servants to make-up artists, from policewomen to academics, we explored the triggers for break times, the different kinds of break people take, and the difference they make emotionally and physically. A series of varied pre-task exercises helped us and our participants understand more about what’s really going on when we reach for the biscuit barrel, flick unthinkingly onto Facebook or even take that slightly over-long loo break. The research helped us understand the optimum break conditions, and to break down the component parts which contribute to this.