by Laurie Childree

Created on: August 01, 2009

Working from home doesn't actually mean that you only work when you want. It means that you have to create a schedule for yourself. You have to ensure that you actually get your work done while at the same time you avoid burning yourself out. Whether or not you have small children home with you during the day will have an effect on when you take a break. There are several things to think about when determining when to take a break but you have to have them so you should start thinking about them.

When you work in the traditional work force chances are someone else has scheduled your breaks and there are guidelines that determine how many you get. When you work at home it's up to you to figure out when to take breaks and how long they are. It's also up to you to get the work done without someone looking over your shoulder. The hours you keep will have a direct baring on when and how long breaks are.

Do you start your work day every early before anyone else is up and end it after everyone else has gone to bed? When you begin your work day with just a cup of coffee before anyone gets up the first break will usually be taken when it's time to have breakfast. The length of this break is usually determined by who's making the breakfast and cleaning up afterward. Then it's time to return to work.

Lunch can be eaten at your regular time. If you have to make it then it's up to you what you make and if you run back and forth to your work station as you cook. Dinner time is a good time for a break, and you can leave yourself some time to spend with the family after dinner. Making a set time to go back to work will help you to remain productive. That is if you don't use dinner time as the end of your work day.

As for breaks during the rest of the work day it will depend on how they are scheduled. If you work on a computer all day long you may choose to take at least a fifteen minute break every hour. This way your eyes are resting and you can something to drink or whatever else you need to do. You can keep a cup with a lid at your desk so that hopefully you can work until break time without interruption.

The most important thing when it comes to scheduling breaks when working at home is to remember that the housework isn't part of taking a break. That gets scheduled for when you designate that you are off work for the day.

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