Some days, I barely have time to get a coffee in the morning, never mind take an hours lunch break. With emails and phone calls and tweets coming in round the clock, it can be hard to find the time to shut off and take a break in the middle of the day.
Time management expert Laura Vanderkam suggests that in actual fact, we have more time in our days and weeks than we think, and that it’s all a matter of prioritising what’s important to you. Schedule in a lunch break as you would a client meeting or business trip, and it becomes a non-negotiable.
And whilst taking a lunchbreak may not seem like something to be classified as ‘non-negotiable’, especially if you work from home, we think it should be – and here’s why.
IT’S BETTER FOR YOUR MIND.
Taking regular breaks at work helps ease tension + help clear your mind so you can see things more clearly. Taking a break has been proven to help boost productivity, once you’ve had a break you can approach a task with a fresh view + renewed energy.
IT’S BETTER FOR YOUR BODY.
We all know sitting at our desks is bad for our posture, joints and muscles, and yet most of us spend a minimum 8 hours a day there. Using fifteen minutes of your lunch break to get up and stretch, or walk to your local Pret for a sandwich helps keep your body moving, and will help with any desk related aches and pains. A quick walk in your lunch break will also help with your digestion, and reduce the chance of you feeling bloated and uncomfortable!
EMBRACE MINDFULNESS – FOCUS ON JUST ONE TASK.
When was the last time you focused all your energy on a single task? The practice of Mindfulness has been proven to help with mood, energy + general health, so take a lunch break, eat something good for you + spend that time away from screens. Just concentrate on eating!
YOU’LL ADOPT HEALTHIER EATING HABITS.
How many times have you skipped a proper lunch in favour of a quick vending machine snack, or a ready meal from the fridge? By taking time out in an allocated lunch break, you can make more mindful food choices, which will supply you with more energy + help you concentrate throughout the afternoon.
YOU’LL ACHIEVE MORE.
After a good meal + some time to clear your head, you’re guaranteed to be more productive + accomplish more in the afternoon, especially if your lunch break included a brisk walk.
YOU’LL FEEL LESS STRESSED.
By making sure you have an allocated time just for you within the work day, you’ll be practising a little self care, and helping your workweek feel a little less overwhelming.
IT’S A GREAT NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY.
Organise to have lunch with a new colleague and get to know them, meet up with a client and help build your relationship, or organise coffee with a fellow freelancer. Everyone has the right to a lunch break, so use that to build bridges + connect with relevant people in your field.
Have we convinced you to take a lunch break tomorrow?