"There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither." -Alan Cohen
If there's one thing I've learned from my 24 years on this planet, it's that high performance depends on the ability to recover quickly. My academic coach in college used to always say, "Plan your work, work your plan!" This is why it's important to use the designated 15 minute Pomodoro breaks wisely. Think of them as time to recover.!
Examples of productive activities to implement during 5 minute breaks include: going outside for some fresh air, closing your eyes, splashing cold water on your face, stretching, or getting some tea/coffee. The key is that you allow yourself to not work or think about work during this time. For instance, checking email, Facebook, Instagram, etc. during breaks isn't recommended because it gets the mind going and can potentially create a rabbit hole of endless information on the internet. The point of these breaks is to relax, be present in the moment, and let og of external distractions for a few minutes!