The "state of the art" of reducing stress and inducing calm during work breaks

1. Calming the Inner and Outer Geek
Stressors, Solutions, and Stats for
Young Engineers in the Workplace
Spring 2011
Sean Rose

2. Current Dynamic
Engineers work long, sedentary hours Buildup of stress from long hours, physical inactivity, etc
Take break after certain period of time
? ? ?

3. Current Dynamic
Engineers work long, sedentary hours Buildup of stress from long hours, physical inactivity, etc
Take break after certain period of time
? ? ?

4. Existing Solutions
Relaxation
Productivity Main Types Mindfulness
Physical Activity

5. Relaxation
Real World Technical
Massage Music Healing, White
Noise :
Nap/Sleep Time plays soothing sounds
Zen Garden
iZen Garden :
digital Zen Garden
iBonsai :
soothing animations

6. Mindfulness
Real World Technical
Meditation Feel Good Tracker,
Gratitude Journal :
Introspective Writing keep record of positives
Daily Affirmation :
positive ideas to think on

7. Physical Activity
Real World Technical
Walking
RunKeeper :
Competitive Sports Track physical activity
Yoga
Pickup Sports :
Ping Pong, other games Find nearby games to join
Yoga Relax :
Short interval Yoga

8. Productivity
Real World Technical
Caffeinated Drinks Pomodoro :
5 minute break every 25
Timecards
“40-20” Rules Bento :
Task Organization
Calendar Apps :
Push alerts for breaks,

9. Analysis
Quiet, open places are scarce in
Relaxation
the work place
Technical implementations require
Mindfulness
technology use, a source of stress
Time/space constraints limit ability
Physical Activity
to engage in extensive activity
Focus strictly on being better at work,
Productivity
not decreasing stress