Mid-morning is the best time to take a significant break. Most people are ready for some type of pick-me-up by 10 or 11 a.m.Taking a break at this time will leave you refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of your day. Be aware of your own needs. Just because most people need a break mid-morning, that doesn't mean that's right for you. If you are more inclined to need a break at 2 p.m., go for it. Research indicates that frequent, short breaks are best. Humans need to recharge their batteries throughout the day, not just when their energy is completely depleted. So try taking several mini-breaks throughout the day.Take a minute to go refill your water bottle, or do a quick online search for a fun new recipe to make for dinner. Your break activity should be something that you enjoy. You'll get the most mental benefits from your break if you are engaging in something that brings you pleasure. If you're a reader, try getting in a chapter of that great new novel over lunch. If you are an exercise enthusiast, see how many steps you can fit in during a 10 minute break. In order to reset your mind, you need to step away from work. Walk away from your computer screen, and don't look at your phone. Try meditating with your eyes closed for a few minutes. Deep breaths are also very calming, and great for mental clarity. Breaks are a great way to fit more physical activity into your day. If you have a desk job, it's especially important that you get up and move around at least once an hour. You'll be amazed at the mental benefits that go along with moving your body, too.  There are a lot of ways you can exercise within your office. Try marching in place or doing desk push-ups. Even just standing for a few minutes can get your blood flowing if you don't have the space in your office to work out. Be attentive to your neck and shoulders. Hunching over your desk can cause a lot of muscle tension. Take care to do shoulder and neck rolls throughout the day. Be innovative. Consider replacing your desk chair with a stability ball, or try a standing work desk.

Summary: Pick a good time. Break often. Choose a good activity. Take a mental break. Get moving.


As discussed earlier, sit in team formation and designate a dealer. Grab your Euchre deck and have the dealer give each player 5 cards and assemble the kitty. Starting to the person left of the dealer, rotating clockwise, ask each player whether or not he wishes to declare the suit that is showing as trump until someone does (or a new cycle begins).  If he does wish to declare this suit trump, he says "pick it up." If he does not want to declare this suit trump, he says "pass," or declares a pass by knocking on the table. He/She then discards one of their other cards (usually a low card of the non-trump suit). If a rotation of the circle is completed without anyone telling the dealer to "pick it up," the card is turned face down and another rotation ensues. During this rotation, a player can call trump of any suit other than the one that was originally turned up. If the rotation completes without anyone calling trump, the deal is forfeited and passed clockwise to the next person in the circle. It's generally wise to only call a trump suit if you have a good hand. Otherwise, stay mum. Each player must follow suit -- meaning if a player has a card of the same suit as was led, he must play it on that trick. If a player does not have a card of that suit, he can trump the trick, or simply throw a card off suit. The highest card of the suit that was led takes the trick, unless a trump card is played. The highest card of trump will win any hand. If you lay a card that does not follow suit but you do have a card that does, this is called a "renege." If another player calls you out on what you've done, they receive 2 points. If you are going alone, however, the penalty is 4 points (for whichever side is guilty). Because each game of Euchre is so short, it's a little easier to memorize the cards. Think about what cards you believe your opponents are holding to determine how to lead off and what to throw away. For example, if the dealer adds the original trump card to his hand, don't forget it.  If you are leading and have two or more trump cards, go with those. Always lead a high trump if your partner called it; it'll help them locate the missing cards. Otherwise, work in a sequence. Say diamonds are trump -- lead with the Ace of Spades or Clubs to try to win it. Don't hold onto your good cards. Euchre goes fast -- if you act slowly, you'll miss your opportunity to use them. When opportunity knocks, answer the door. " Once one team gets to 9 points, this means they are "in the barn." You must announce this with great enthusiasm, since it typically indicates that you are about to win the game. If you really want to have fun with it, have one partner interlock their fingers together, and flip upside down with the thumbs making "udders" and let the other partner "milk" them. The five tricks of Euchre can go by pretty fast, so it's best to keep score as you go. Use the 6 and 4 cards to keep tabs. Once a team reaches ten, you'll probably want to play again. Switch teams if skill sets are better suited in different combinations.
Summary: Deal the cards. Turn the top card of the kitty face up, for all players to see. Have the dealer pick up the card. Have the player to the left of the dealer lead. Go for strategy. Know when you're "in the barn. Tally up the final score.