02 / A pause between things
Workday
A refill, a change of view, a moment between tasks. Give your working day a natural pause.
What is within reach?
A desk, a shared kitchen or a day on the move can all have a small pause. Choose a version that fits the facilities you have, without turning the break into another task.
The refill can be the cue. A change of place matters more than an elaborate drink.
Keep the desk setup light.
A cup or refillable bottle
Choose something easy to carry and wash, with a lid when moving between rooms. Leave space around your keyboard.
Water close by
Know where you can refill. Start with plain water, then decide whether you want another flavour.
A clear stopping point
Before standing up, write down the next small action. You will have somewhere to return to when the pause is over.
Make this moment yours.
01 / Workday
Cold water only
Around five minutes / No kettle needed
This is the version for a shared workspace, a busy desk or anywhere with drinking water but no kitchen. The point is to leave the screen for a moment.
Have to hand
A clean bottle or cup, drinking water and a small note of your next task.
What to do
- Finish a natural unit of work and write one line about what comes next. Leave the note where you will see it when you return.
- Take the cup to the refill point. Fill it with drinking water. If using a flavouring, choose one intended for cold mixing and follow its directions; plain water is a complete choice.
- Spend the rest of the pause away from the desk, somewhere you can stand or sit comfortably. Return, place the cup clear of electronics and start with the action you wrote down.
For a portable version
Carry only the bottle you will actually refill. Wash it according to its instructions, and avoid loose ingredients or tools that are awkward to clean at work.
02 / Workday
A kettle is available
A natural gap / A cup and a spoon
Keep the preparation familiar and considerate of a shared space. A single-serving tea bag or an easy-to-prepare blend leaves more of the break for the pause itself.
Have to hand
A heat-safe cup, a spoon, your chosen drink and access to hot water.
What to do
- Read the serving and preparation instructions before filling the kettle or cup. Check the full ingredient list if you are choosing a different blend.
- Prepare one serving and use any brewing time to step back from messages. Keep hot water and the cup on a stable surface away from the edge.
- Remove or strain the ingredients as directed, clear the shared counter and let the drink reach a comfortable temperature. Carry it carefully back, or enjoy it away from the screen.
Keep the choice deliberate
Choose ginger for a peppery flavour or a citrus blend when you want something bright. A blend's name alone does not tell you whether it contains tea, caffeine or added sugar; read the label.
A pause, not another target.
Five minutes is a useful shape for the break, not a rule to meet. A brief refill is still worthwhile when the day is full. Choose a natural gap rather than interrupting yourself every few minutes.
Get to know the ingredients.
Explore the flavour, formats and preparation before choosing what to make.
A little citrus in still or sparkling water can change the flavour of a break.
A peppery option for a deliberately prepared cup, with strength adjusted to taste.
Give the next pause a different flavour.
Later in the day, try something bright, peppery or softly creamy, with a small bite beside it.