Take Your Lunch Break
Why it’s good to take your lunch break
If you work for more than six hours a day, you should take at least half an hour off. If it is over nine hours you should add at least another 15 minutes.
Forget being “too busy” to take a lunch break. Studies show that taking a lunch break allows your mind to rest, recharge and refocus, which can directly improve your productivity for the rest of the day. Taking time out during the day – even if you choose to have multiple, short breaks – this gives your brain a chance to recuperate.
Not taking a lunch break can leave you feeling more tired and stressed, less focused and in a worse mood by the time the day ends. It can also reduce your ability to be creative! Even if you just take 15-20 minutes, this is a proven way to keep your levels of concentration and energy up during your day.
Maximising your lunch break – Take Your Lunch Break
How can you maximise your lunch break? And what are the benefits of doing so?
- Have a real break –Take Your Lunch Break
Avoid eating at your desk or in your work area. Taking a step away from the office, workspace, showroom etc. will help you to relax and clear your mind as you won’t be trying to rest in a place you associate with work.
It’s also important to allow yourself some proper respite – try to limit or avoid checking work emails or organising ‘to do’ lists. If you continue to work in your lunch break then you won’t reap the benefits that a bit of respite can bring.
- Connect with colleagues – Take Your Lunch Break
We all spend a lot of time with work colleagues, so connecting with them can help build a stronger team. Talking with colleagues over lunch can be a good way to let off steam, problem solves a task and unwind before tackling the afternoon.
Let’s remember that work can be a great place to meet friends and develop a social group, which is good for your social and mental health and wellbeing. Having a support network of people at work can be really helpful when going through any of life’s challenges.
- Have a hearty lunch – Take Your Lunch Break
Eating three proper meals a day, or regular smaller meals is crucial to keeping your energy and concentration levels up. Skipping meals can reduce your productivity throughout the day – as well as impacting on your metabolism.
Foods such as fish, seeds, nuts, blueberries and whole grains are particularly good for keeping your brain healthy, while glucose levels can have an effect on productivity.
If you’re looking to go out for a healthy lunch somewhere close to the office, there’s an app for that! Healthy Out helps you find local restaurants and snack bars with healthy options.
- Mindful eating – Take Your Lunch Break
There are many health benefits associated with being mindful (present) whilst eating. A study by Harvard found that people who ate whilst distracted actually ate more food, whereas ‘mindful eating’ has been linked to eating less.
Another side effect of distracted eating can be snacking later on in the day – particularly junk food. So it’s a good idea to eat away from your desk as it not only means you’ll be present whilst eating, are less likely to over-eat but it also helps aid digestion.
- Get some exercise – Take Your Lunch Break
Even if you just take a walk around your building and get some fresh air, this will help you de-stress and your body relax. Alternatively, you could use your lunch break to do a proper workout – and the best news is you don’t have to be near a gym to do this. You could go for a run or find somewhere to do some exercises – Buzzfeed has put together some total body workouts that you don’t need equipment for.
Exercise has lots of benefits, including reducing stress, improving mood and increasing confidence and self-esteem. Additionally, another study showed that exercising can make you feel better about your body, even when you don’t see any physical changes.
More information
Ben can provide your business with physical health training, visit our companies pages or contact supporterrelations@ben.org.uk to find out more.
Additionally, you can direct colleagues to our Physical Health webpage and blogs section for more advice on wellbeing.