Coffee, bathroom, and smoke breaks have always been ways for employees to get through long workdays.
But one boss has taken things further to help workers deal with stress and agitation.
Erika Lust, who runs an adult entertainment company in Barcelona, allows employees to take a 30-minute break daily for personal time.
This policy became permanent in 2022 after a test run during Covid lockdowns. The idea was to see if it could help reduce stress.
The trial was so successful that some employees even said they felt less aggression and were more productive at work.
Some studies suggest that personal time and intimacy have health benefits, like lowering blood pressure, while avoiding it for too long might have negative effects.
During an office tour, Lust told The News Movement, “They get personal time breaks. If you need one, you are welcome to take it. It helps reduce anxiety.”
She explained that the pandemic changed how people work, and she noticed employees were more stressed and had less energy.
“I knew there was one thing that could make everyone feel good, so I created a private space for them to use. I value my employees, and I know that when they feel good, we do good work.”
She believes that stress is one of the biggest problems in the workplace.
“So, I set up a private room, which we call the ‘personal time station,’ so they have a safe space for their break.”
However, her goal was not only to help her employees feel better but also to start normalizing the topic.
“Your overall health includes your personal well-being. It should be treated with the same level of care and respect.”
Lust’s comments come as studies show that many people are having less intimacy than before. A survey found that 27% of Britons have less intimacy than they used to, and 1 in 6 said they had not been intimate in the last year.
Doctors say intimacy has health benefits, like reducing stress, improving heart health, and boosting mental well-being.
For men, avoiding it for too long could even increase the risk of prostate cancer, while for women, it may weaken the pelvic floor muscles.
Experts say frequent intimacy is good for overall health and well-being and should be encouraged.