Study Finds Five‑Minute Walking Breaks Cut Office Fatigue

A research team at Columbia University Medical Center in New York studied the effect of brief walking breaks on office workers. The trial involved 11 484 participants recruited through a National Public Radio podcast. Participants were asked to take five‑minute walking breaks at intervals of either 30, 60 or 120 minutes while working. Those who walked every hour reported a clear reduction in self‑rated fatigue (about 1.4‑1.55 points on a five‑point scale) and a simultaneous rise in mood. The hourly break was judged the best balance between practicality and effectiveness, with participants rating feasibility around 3.8‑4.0 out of 5. The researchers note that people in high‑income countries often sit 11‑12 hours a day, a behavior linked to chronic disease, mental‑health problems and higher health‑care costs. While the short‑term results suggest walking pauses could be a low‑cost public‑health measure, longer‑term studies are needed to confirm sustainability and broader health impacts.