Taking a 15-minute break to move around enhances productivity. But who has the time?

We all know the benefits of exercise, but the reality of fitting it into our days is often a different story. As is the case for Dr Sophie Scamps, a GP, mother of three and the federal MP for Mackellar. Trying to find time to interview Scamps is challenging as she is booked out from 6am to 10pm on the day I hope to speak with her.

When we do connect, Scamps, a former world junior championship athletics gold medallist, says she’s “much less fit” than she was before being elected to office two and a half years ago. MP Sophie Scamps and Fit for Office ambassador Guy Leech. Credit: Edwina Pickles Today, Scamps struggles to make time to exercise despite waking at the “crack of dawn”.



Knowing that being active makes her feel better, mentally and physically, helps her to manage the pressures of an “incredibly stressful” role and assists in managing menopause symptoms. “I’m inclined to get up and start work straight away,” admits the 53-year-old. So how does she fit anything in? After joining parliament in 2022, she was advised to buy a head torch, as the only time politicians typically get to move is in the dark.

This is why Scamps, once ranked Australia’s top 800-metre runner, often walks to Parliament House before the sun rises. On good days, she might fit in a yoga class, a surf or a walk. On the days that’s not possible, she walks – sometimes runs – the stairs of the House.

How often do we need to move? New research involving 26,000 participants around the world, funded by ASICS , found we don’t need much movement during the day to significantly affect our mood, stress levels and even productivity. Taking 15-minute movement breaks every two hours led to a 22.5 per cent increase in mental wellbeing scores, a 33.

2 per cent boost in productivity and a 28.6 per cent improvement in focus..