Trace Id is missing
October 09, 2023

Breakthru’s microbreak app for Teams makes self-care a movement at NHS, organically reaching 85% of NHS Trusts

The National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom is Europe's largest employer, with 1.6 million healthcare workers. Like many in the healthcare field, NHS had employees who avoided taking breaks – choosing to put patient care above their own wellbeing. 

But what happened when they discovered that movement-driven “microbreaks” of only two minutes could provide a lift and help to be more productive? That’s the idea behind the Breakthru wellbeing app for Microsoft Teams. Now NHS workers can take microbreaks at their own pace, right inside the tool they’re already using to meet, chat, call, and collaborate. And it’s catching on. Since launching with NHS about a year ago, Breakthru usage has grown organically and is being used and shared at 182 NHS Truststhat’s 85 percent of the NHS Trust organizationsand growing.

National Health Service

The number of employees who never took a break at the NHS was staggering. This isn’t uncommon. For example some nursing professionals who prioritize patient care over their own wellbeing—to the point that some even view self-care as selfish. 

"People . . . are very good at being like an elastic band. ‘I will work harder. . . . I will do without a lunch break. I will give, give, give.’ Until they can't give anymore,” says Sarah Apperley, Patient Advice and Liaison Service at Gloucestershire Hospitals. Yvonne Murray, Corporate Records Manager NHS Arden & Gem, adds: “I've been telling everyone, you need to look after yourself. You really do. Take a break. If I don’t look after myself first, I can’t help anybody out.”

NHS saw Breakthru, available in Microsoft AppSource, as the perfect antidote to the reluctance to take breaks. Breakthru now helps workers enjoy two-minute microbreaks that offer gentle movements set in nature and a critical reminder to take time out to better care for themselves. Even small movement-based microbreaks throughout the day have a positive effect on health, cognitive focus/function, and productivity.

An NHS partnership catalyzed by Microsoft

When John McGhie, Head of Collaboration Services, and Gemma Rogerson, Lead Delivery Manager at the NHS England Workforce Experience Centre of Excellence, were assembling a wellbeing toolkit to launch at the NHS a year ago, they met Breakthru founder Melissa Painter through Microsoft Customer Success Manager Nic Saunders. 

NHS England was immediately on board with the concept of two-minute breaks for employees to fully get into the flow of the workday. Says Painter, “The short breaks stimulate curiosity, boost motivation, and improve mood. It burns cognitive energy to sit still; movement creates energy. By working with Microsoft Teams, Breakthru can help millions of Teams users who may need to reboot their energy after periods of concentration or between meetings to feel more centered.”

Rogerson particularly likes that users with all levels of fitness can participate: “The app was so simple to use that our team knew we had to get this out. The two-minute micro movements to improve mental health really shine through. NHS employees can now give their colleagues the gift of time and positive movement [by sending an invitation via Microsoft Teams].” 

The deceptively simple tool has delivered impact well beyond two minutes—for many. It’s become an essential daily ritual used on the hour with long-term benefits. Like “Super-user” Marie Wilson, Therapist: “I do 10-hour days. Microbreaks have become important to me because I don't get away from the desk that often. . . . As soon as I'm finished with a patient, I can click straight on, push my chair back, and stand up and be ready for exercise. And it's a lifesaver honestly—you need to move. It really gives you that lift for the day.” 

Stephanie Hyman, Medical Secretary/MDT Co-Ordinator, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, agrees and appreciates that it doesn’t compromise her patients-first approach: “Yeah, two minutes is quite good. Because it means I don't feel guilty getting up and doing it.” 

Through Teams, an invitation to move is an invitation to care

The integration with Microsoft Teams is simple, and letting people discover it at their own pace has its rewards. Whether by seeing a co-worker moving through a microbreak sequence or receiving Breakthru as a thank you gift from a colleague online via Teams, adoption and usage organically grow through behavioral modeling and word of mouth with effects that last. 

Employees send Breakthrus to each other right from Teams, the day-to-day tool they’re already using to meet, chat, call, and collaborate. Once invited, people often make up their own rituals—from sharing it in meetings to using it to reflect at the end of a workday. 

Just like Luisa Minter of Ashford and St. Peter's hospitals, who takes a Breakthru with a colleague every hour to shift their mood and re-energize themselves: “Getting to stand up, stretch, and move has really changed the working day for me—my energy and enthusiasm have soared!” 

Breakthru puts NHS research into practice

Breakthru used a 2023 NHS study to inform the core design and development—which now serves those within the organization that inspired it. The study revealed that people rely on their inner circle to combat loneliness and to embrace wellbeing across a lifetime. It also celebrated the role of nature and art in wellbeing and therapy. 

Painter explains, “When you put research out into the world, you never know what it may spark! Breakthru microbreaks have been both a vehicle and a proof of concept to put the NHS study into play, benefiting employees firsthand. Wellbeing happens through community. It happens in the outdoors. It happens through inviting movement incrementally back into our day.”

User Angela Coutts, OT-PT Student Leadership Team Practice Education Facilitator at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, part of the NHS Foundation Trust, says “Anyone can take two minutes out of their day. And that, to me, makes a real strong point to recommend it to other people.”

Today, more than 45,000 diverse organizations across 72 countries offer ongoing movement and wellbeing via Breakthru on Teams. And they’re just getting started, two minutes at a time.

“By working with Microsoft Teams, Breakthru can help millions of Teams users who may need to reboot their energy after periods of concentration or between meetings to feel more centered.”

Melissa Painter, Founder, Breakthru

Take the next step

Fuel innovation with Microsoft

Talk to an expert about custom solutions

Let us help you create customized solutions and achieve your unique business goals.

Drive results with proven solutions

Achieve more with the products and solutions that helped our customers reach their goals.

Follow Microsoft