Think about the last time you took a full one hour lunch break? And we’re not talking about taking one so you can run errands, but taking one so you can actually sit and enjoy your lunch, or get a bit of quiet time for yourself. Still thinking? You’re not the only one.
Breaks increase productivity
The truth? Most people don’t even take a lunch break – they just eat at their desks while working, or grab something to eat between meetings. With workloads increasing, a lot of people don’t feel like they actually have the time to eat or, they feel that if they do take a regular lunch break their boss or colleagues might think that they’re slacking off. How ridiculous is that?
We’ve become work obsessed. We’re constantly online, connected, and always available to take calls. But are we doing it at the cost of our health? Are you one of the people who tend to work through lunch, and feel fatigued and drained at the end of each day? Then here are 5 reasons why you really should take more advantage of your lunch breaks:
- Quality time out. Being away from your desk, computer and what you’ve been focusing on for the past few hours actually rejuvenates you, which means increased productivity and stamina when you return, and overall work satisfaction
- You can actually concentrate on what you’re eating! This means you’re more likely to eat the food you should be eating. We also tend to eat less if we eat without distractions
- Breaks are good for your brain. Taking some time away gives your brain an opportunity to rest, repair and recover from the cognitive demands of your job
- You don’t need to take a full hour break to feel the effects. A couple of short, 20 minute breaks at a time should be enough to improve your concentration and keep you focused for the next stretch of work.
- It’s not about eating. Even if you don’t eat much during your lunch break, take the opportunity to get up and walk around. If possible, go outside and get some fresh air as this also helps to wake you up, and moving around improves circulation if you’ve been sitting down for a long time.