Reference: Kang, S. H., & Kurtzberg, T. R. (2019). Reach for your cell phone at your own risk: The cognitive costs of media choice for breaks. Academy of Management Proceedings, 2019(1), 10664. https://doi.org/10.5465/ambpp.2019.10664abstract How do you take breaks from tasks requiring focused attention? An increase in cell phone addiction caused researchers to ask: is there a cognitive cost during working to taking a break to view your cell phone? Researchers consider taking breaks as beneficial since they break up mental depletion periods, alleviate depletion levels, and allow the brain to relax. Others consider breaks as harmful interruptions, especially if engaging in an addictive activity like using one’s phone, which could interrupt workflow and deplete mental energy. Researchers sampled 400 undergraduate students comparing cell phone breaks to paper-and-pencil and computer-based breaks. The researchers structured a break falling in the middle of a mentally challenging task and created a control condition with no break. Researchers measured cognitive depletion and task performance based on the time spent on the task and the number of correct answers given. Results? Participants who took cell phone breaks performed worse than those taking other kinds of breaks, like solving a brief word puzzle or catalog shopping. The addictive nature of your cell phone interrupts workflow! Set your phone to Do Not Disturb. Take a mind-relaxing break…take time to smell the roses!

Written by Vanessa Melendez, B.S.