Have you ever been guilty of scoffing down a sandwich at your desk and calling it your “lunch break”? Or taking a 10-minute scroll on social media and then deciding you are not hungry and proceeding to go back to work? We’ve all been guilty of ignoring our daily lunch breaks simply because we’re too busy or there’s too much to do, making excuses along the way.

However, it’s crucial to make the most of our down time to take care of our mental health and productivity. Well-being has become the most recent buzzword, and for good reason. Nowadays, employees are increasingly neglecting their mental health, pushing it to the back burner. Instead, we should be prioritising our mental well-being to ensure optimal productivity and overall satisfaction.

59% of employees report feeling burnout. – Aflac 

Why taking a lunch break is so important 

While a break may seem to be the last thing we need during a busy day, taking effective breaks can help us regain focus at work. With an effective midday lunch break, you will likely find there to be a huge surge of creative productivity. 

In Office 

Taking a break in the office can often seem like you’re going against the grain. When you get up from your desk, and no one else does, it can shift the mood. However, our team is here to encourage you to take a lunch break and enjoy it. 

Prep all your meals at the start of your week 

For those who work in an office setting, it’s beneficial to take proactive steps in meal preparation either at the beginning of the week or the night before. This approach not only enables you to nourish your body and mind with healthy food but also saves you from the morning rush of hastily assembling a lunch for the day. By having a well-prepared meal to look forward to, you’ll find yourself more motivated and focused during the morning shift.

Tip! 

If you struggle with midday cravings and tend to go for a sugary snack, stock your desk with a few healthy snacks. Keeping these on hand is a great way to curb those cravings, helping you to avoid the sugar crash in the afternoon. 

Move from your desk and get out of the office 

Something as simple as standing up and moving away from your desk can do you wonders. What’s even more effective than this is getting out of the office. This doesn’t need to be for the entirety of your lunch break. However, there’s plenty that you can do to get out of the office. We’ve listed a few options below. 

• Go for a walk around the block 
• Stretch 
• Go for a drive
• Listen to a podcast 
• Read a book 
• Upskill 

Network

A lunch break is a perfect opportunity to get away from all of your screens and network with those inside and outside the office. For those working in larger companies, venture up the elevator and chat with colleagues. You’ll be surprised at how beneficial this can be for your career. How to network is entirely up to you, but set yourself a goal for networking each week to hold yourself accountable. 

Working From Home 

Trying to navigate keeping private life and work separate when working from home can be a challenge. Potentially, even more of a challenge is holding yourself accountable to take the needed breaks when you’re on your own. Below is a range of tips that can help those working virtually take a lunch break. 

Call a friend 

If you currently work from home or have experienced working from home, you’ll know that it can often get lonely. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert in the workplace, this factor might impact you more or less. However, calling a friend is a great way to break up your day, catch up and give you a chance to indulge in your lunch break. 

Exercise 

What better way to break up your day than working on your daily exercise during your lunch break? Exercise is great for every aspect of your overall well-being and work-life balance. Getting your heart rate up or simply taking a brisk walk for 30 to 45 minutes allows you to move your body, get out of the house and take some dedicated time for yourself. You’ll return to your desk feeling fresh and re-energised. 

Get out of the house

Just like working from the office, try to get out of the house at least once a day when working from home. These trips don’t need to be long, but making the shift to move away from your desk resets your mind to focus on something other than work. This can be as simple as running errands or doing a small spot of grocery shopping. 

Stay social 

Particularly for those who work from home, ensuring you stay social while working remotely is imperative. Keeping up with the virtual team culture is a great way to be socially active with others in your team. Having a collective lunch break with team members at an agreed-upon time each day or every Friday is perfect for communicating and remaining social. This is ideal for those managers who are trying to manage a remote sales team. 

A note for employers 

As employers, taking a lunch break is easier said than done. However, to ensure an effective and productive workplace, it’s imperative that you lead by example. Take your lunch break and show your employees that doing so is ok. Employees will feel more comfortable taking a break resulting in productivity and a positive work environment when they see you taking a break. 

Final Thoughts

Lunch breaks are the key to remaining productive within the workplace. No matter if you work in the office or work from home, they’re what you need during the day to remain creative and engaged with your work. 
Salexo Consulting is here to help you secure top talent for your business and find a business that works for you. To discover how we can help you find your ideal employee or employer, get in contact. In the meantime, read our blogs and follow us on social media to stay up to date with the latest news and stories.