Your lunch hour is the seemingly obvious time for you too, well, have lunch. But more workers confess to working through lunches rather than taking a break.
Taking time out for a meal is highly encouraged on any given work day. What you do during your midday break might vary depending on your job, company culture or personal priorities, but experts agree that stepping away from your work desk can yield greater productivity to your benefit and the company’s.
Here are five things you should consider doing during your lunch break.
1. Enjoy your food
Leave your office and go somewhere nice for lunch. Treat yourself to something you enjoy that fits with your diet. If you have a favourite food or restaurant, go and enjoy it at least once a week.
It’s OK to splurge or indulge from time to time, but stick to healthy meals as often as possible.
2. Connect with someone new
If you work in an office with many employees, you’re not expected to recognise every single person. But your workplace interactions can be so fleeting that you really never actually get to know the people you spend most of your days with.
Take some time to leave the office, sit down for lunch and get acquainted with your co-workers.
3. Avoid screens
Try to stay away from your smartphones or devices. Most office jobs require you to stare at a screen all day, so try to avoid this during lunch.
If you can’t help it for whatever reason, leave your desk so your body perceives this as an actual break.
4. Don’t get stuck in a routine
Humans are creatures of habit. Maybe you go to the same restaurant every day, or eat with the same colleague. You might use your lunch break to run errands or make personal calls.
Try to mix things up in order to clear your head and boost your energy.
5. Get away from your desk or workspace
Remaining at your desk is a big no-no. Even just getting up to walk to another room to eat is important. Better yet, get outside for some fresh air and a quick walk, which can do wonders for the body and spirit.
Even if you don’t sit at a desk, you should get away from your workspace during lunch to help clear your mind.
This article first appeared in jobstore.com.
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