Here’s How a Proper Lunch Break Works
When was the last time you took a proper lunch break, one where you didn't hunch over your laptop the entire time? Inhaling a slice of greasy pizza before your next meeting doesn't count.
Between the responsibilities of your work day and the demands of home life, there’s little time to unwind and take a breather. That’s why you should be more intentional about how you spend your lunch break. If you’re tired of gnawing at yesterday’s leftovers in between work tasks, follow these tips to get the most out of your lunch break.
Do Nothing but Eat
We’ll be the first to admit that this one seems obvious. But you’d be surprised how many people run errands during their lunch break instead of enjoying a midday meal. The unfortunate truth is that you’re not doing yourself any favours by hopping on YouTube, working, or reading a book while you eat. Focusing purely on eating not only helps you digest your food better, but also allows you to clear your mind before your next task.
Go to Restaurant or Café for improved creativity
There is one major benefit to working from your favourite burger restaurant. The ambient sound of a restaurant has been proven to be beneficial for creativity. Unlike complete silence or a noisy setting, moderate noise levels increase a task’s processing difficulty just enough to push you out of your comfort zone and into the realm of increased creative thinking.
According to a survey conducted by CareerJunction, two-thirds of South African employees are desk diners who work right through their lunch break. Yet leaving your desk, even if it’s just for 15 to 20 minutes, is a proven way to sustain your concentration and energy levels throughout the day. All the tasks and decisions you make in the first part of the day gradually deplete your psychological resources. The best way to recharge is to unplug before you get back to work.
If you use your lunch break to check your social media accounts, read the news, or binge YouTube clips at your desk, you’re unlikely to feel refreshed when it’s time to tackle the rest of the day. Commit to closing your laptop and moving to another location – even if you’re just going to another part of the office. This will make it easier to unplug, preventing you from having a quick look at your emails throughout your break.
Apart from the gross-factor that comes with amassing crumbs between your laptop keys, treating your lunch break as a time to do more work has the opposite effect on your workload. So instead of trying to cram more tasks into your lunch break, leave your desk and enjoy your favourite meal. Whether it’s a chicken burger and soda meal, or a plate of yesterday’s leftovers, relish every bite of your lunch. You’ll thank yourself later.
