Do short games fit naturally into hybrid working schedules?

Taking short breaks regularly reduces your stress levels and makes you more productive

FIGURING OUT A work-life balance is very different for people who operate on a remote or hybrid schedule. Determining what is downtime, what is worktime, and when those lines are allowed to get muddy – if ever – is quite a game. Not always a fun one. And what’s more, once you’ve got those lines in place, you’ve got to find ways to create breaks and pauses in your workday that don’t disrupt what you’re doing too much, but do let you step back when necessary.

There are lots of reasons employers are moving towards remote work, with everything from attracting global talent to potentially boosting birth rates being discussed. It’s been great news for workers who want more flexible schedules, an elimination of commutes, and more… but it does lead to challenges.

We’re going to use this article to figure out whether game apps are a good option for remote workers. The short answer? Yes. The long one? You need to know yourself and your app. Let’s take a look.

Opting For Short, Light Games

First of all, let’s deal with the short breaks that you likely find yourself with at times. Plenty of research has demonstrated that taking breaks regularly reduces your stress levels and makes you more productive. That means you need apps that provide you with an activity that you can easily drop into and out of, something that will let you disengage your brain from your work, but doesn’t demand big chunks of your attention.

Lots of people turn to things like online slots in Canada for this kind of thing. Slots have a number of advantages over other games. One: they are varied. Two: They are short. Three: They don’t demand too much brainpower.

Let’s break those down a little!

Slot games come in all shapes and sizes these days. Maybe you feel like playing a fishing slot, or an Ancient Egypt Slot, or a candy-themed option. Maybe you’d rather plunge into outer space, spin some wild animal reels, or have fun with horror slots. Whichever feels like it ticks the box, slots provide it – and that’s one of the reasons they’re so popular.

Next up, length. Let’s face it: in the middle of a busy work day, you can’t take an hour, or maybe even half an hour, for a game. A lot of modern games recognize time constraints, but still demand a sizeable commitment. With slots, we’re talking minutes per round. Hit spin, watch the reels, maybe interact with a bonus feature or two, and then go back to work, feeling refreshed.

And that brings us to the last point in their favor. Slots offer a good opportunity to let your brain rest, as opposed to swapping from one demanding task to another. You can just… relax. Nothing taxing, nothing challenging, just the fun of engaging with the bright reels and the motions and the upbeat soundtrack. This is a powerful way to refresh.

Choosing Something Turn-Based

Not everybody likes these lighter games, though; some people want something with more texture. That can be hard to achieve when you’re trying to keep it short, so the solution is to find something with no time-pressure. Maybe an online game of Scrabble or chess, where you can make a few moves and then stop and return later.

The slight drawback of these games is that you don’t get to “close the loop,” which can make it harder to get back into work mode. However, this is a case of knowing yourself well. If that doesn’t bother you and you’re disciplined about picking up your tasks again, no problem. These games are great!

Go For Less Structure

What counts as a “game” in today’s world? Quite a lot. It doesn’t have to fall within strict parameters to be workable. Maybe you just want something to do for a few minutes, something that’s completely different from your work – but it’s okay to think outside the metaphorical box and look for game-adjacent options.

Take, for instance, jigsaws. These are good for your brain for a number of reasons, meaning they can provide a great refresher, and they’re again easy to pick up and put down without worrying about whether you’re going to lose your place in the story. And if you do them on a device – great, no cleanup, no lost pieces, and no clutter on your dining table for a week while you solve a particularly tricky puzzle.

If those don’t appeal, adult coloring could be your solution. This is again game-adjacent, but the great thing here is that you can take your eyes away from the screens if you want to, and it’s a very flexible activity that can be slotted into any period you have free. 5 minutes? 15? Lunch break? Whatever it is, grab your pencils and get going.

Game Suggestion	Player Type	Good For
Slots	Anybody	A quick, low-thinking, structured break
Scrabble	Word lovers	Structured turn-based break
Chess	Strategists	Structured turn-based break
Wordle	Word lovers	Ongoing challenge throughout the day
Match games	Anybody	Simple, short, uses different part of your brain
Jigsaws	Anybody	Easy to pick up and put down
Adult coloring	Anybody	Fits your schedule, very relaxing