Taking a break : exploring the restorative benefits of short breaks and vacations

This paper applies Attention Restoration Theory to explore the restorative benefits of short breaks and vacations among Australian university staff (N = 156). Three groups (Vacation, Short Break and No Break) were compared using both objective (physiological and cognitive) and subjective (self-report) measures. Cognitive and self-report measures demonstrated that taking a break increases the ability to focus attention and improves restorative well-being. No consistent effects were found using physiological measures. Short breaks have an advantage over longer vacations on some measures, and this may be explained by attributes of the environment and activities in which vacationers engaged. Detachment from work is particularly important in achieving restorative benefits. Suggestions are offered for optimising the restorative effectiveness of taking a break.