Effects of park walks and relaxation exercises during lunch breaks on recovery from job stress: Two randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Lunch breaks constitute the longest within-workday rest period, but it is unclear how they affect recovery from job stress. We conducted two randomized controlled trials with 153 Finnish knowledge workers who engaged for 15 min daily in prescribed lunch break activities for ten consecutive working days. Participants were randomly assigned to a: 1) park walking group (N = 51), 2) relaxation exercises group (N = 46) and 3) control group (N = 56). The study was divided into two parts scheduled in spring (N = 83) and fall (N = 70). Recovery experiences (detachment, relaxation, enjoyment) and recovery outcomes (restoration, fatigue, job satisfaction) were assessed with SMS and paper-and-pencil questionnaires several times per day before, during and after the intervention period. A manipulation check revealed that both intervention groups reported less tension after lunch breaks during the intervention than before. In spring, the interventions did hardly affect recovery experiences and outcomes. In fall, restoration increased and fatigue decreased markedly immediately after lunch breaks and in the afternoon in both intervention groups (d = 0.22–0.58) and most consistent positive effects across the day were reported by the park walking group. Park walks and relaxation exercises during lunch breaks can enhance knowledge workers' recovery from work, but effects seem weak, short-lived and dependent on the season.