Who doesn’t look forward to their lunch break midway through the workday?
For starters, if your answer is “What lunch break?” you need to change that up immediately. You’re missing out on an essential time to recharge, revitalize and maintain healthy levels of productivity, focus and overall well-being throughout the day.
So, take your lunch break. After eating, try to spend 15 to 30 minutes focusing on non-work related items. It will help you handle your afternoon tasks in a much better mood and with a higher energy level. During lunch break, you might:
- Go for a run or a workout, or take a walk.
Before you eat, get some exercise. This will not only revitalize you, but also save you time having to work out later on in the day. And it’s a time-tested way to reduce stress, no matter how crazy your morning was.
- Meditate or do some breathing exercises.
Find a quiet spot, such as your car, an outdoor bench or a conference room. These activities https://insighttimer.com/space-7/guided-meditations/short-deep-relaxing-lunch-break-breathing-exerciseare great for calming your mind and body, clearing your head, and boosting your focus level for when you resume work.
- Journal.
Logging your thoughts in a journal is an effective way to deal with any overwhelmed feelings you may have and approach the rest of your day with a more positive mindset and relaxed attitude. You may want to note any elements of the day so far that you need to mentally work through or write about the morning’s happenings and your expectations for the rest of the day.
- Do some healthy meal planning.
In addition to helping you feel more organized and potentially saving you money on this week’s groceries, this can deter unhealthy, expensive convenience purchases, like going through the fast-food drive through on the way home. This week’s sale on produce beats burgers and fries – most of the time anyway!
- Read, or listen to music, a podcast or an audio book.
Avoid topics directly related to current work projects or developments – the idea is to get away from all that. But you could choose something inspirational or helpful to your career or lifestyle, such as learning a new skill or language. Or, just opt for some enjoyable entertainment.
- Spend some social time with colleagues.
This is a great opportunity to get to know one another better, and it helps you establish stronger relationships, which make it easier to collaborate – and simply make work more fun. You may be pleasantly surprised at what you have in common!
- Just enjoy your meal.
After all, it is called lunch break. Simply spend your time enjoying your meal. Close your laptop, unplug your devices … step away from your desk! Let yourself mindfully savor your mealtime, versus trying to multitask.