Apr
24
2015
Lunchtime is more than a sandwich: claim that break
By Lauren Scally.
The Centre is so alive with delegates bustling in and out, our photocopier printing repeatedly and our team working hard to meet deadlines that it can lead to us forget to take our lunch break.
Emails are one of the main culprits for keeping us tapping away through lunch. It is easy to sit opposite your computer, nibbling on a sandwich whilst you catch up on emails. But lunchtime is so much more than a sandwich; simply removing yourself from your work station can recharge both your mind and body. What company doesn't want cheerful, energised staff come 2pm?
Taking a full hour lunch break has become one of many organisations biggest office taboos. Bupa highlighted some interesting statistics about individuals skipping their lunch breaks:
“The impact on workers not taking a break is significant, almost half (48 per cent) feel their productivity levels plummet in the afternoon around 3 o’clock and as a result lose almost 40 minutes of their day due to this dip”
Bupa Clinical Director of Occupational Health, Dr. Jenny Leeser, said: “In challenging economic times, the UK work force is in overdrive and the lunch break is falling by the wayside. Instead of taking a break to refuel, workers are using props including chocolates and sweets and caffeinated drinks to get them through the day”
“In fact, a fifth (21 per cent) consumes five caffeinated drinks a day. Having large amounts of caffeine on a daily basis can lead to insomnia and dehydration.”
In the winter it can be quite difficult to take a walk outside when temperatures are below 5 degrees. Maybe you are too content at your desk to venture outside? I think it is important to leave the building, even just for 15 minutes. After all, walking releases the happiness hormone ‘serotonin’ so why not? You will come back feeling more productive and focused.
There can sometimes be pressure on employees to take shorter breaks and, more and more, people feel they have to impress their boss. This can only result in workers feeling they have too much to do to be able to take a full hour break, or they feel they have to work late or come in early to manage their workload.
You are entitled to enjoy one wonderful hour a day where you can tuck into a delicious lunch, browse the internet for some ‘me’ time, kick back with a book or watch something fulfilling on the TV. This will set you up for the afternoon.
I notice that the way I spend my lunch break affects how productive I am for the rest of the day. A recent study showed that by not taking our lunch breaks we work 19 days for ‘free’ over the course of the year. Just imagine what you could accomplish with that one hour every day, five hours every week, 20 hours every month, 240 hours a year?
Do something fabulous with your lunch break
- Make phone calls
- Social media time
- Rest or take a nap
- Lunch date with other colleagues
- Get a quick hair cut
- Put music to your ears
- Take a walk, jog or even run
- Network over lunch
- Meditate
- Have a picnic
- Meet a friend
- Try office yoga
- Get pampered
Working in an office environment makes it more important to step away and take a break. Make that 60 minutes count and come back feeling ready to tackle the last few hours of the day. It's surprising what happens to your brain after just 20 miniutes of activity!
Lauren Scally is the Centre’s Team Administrator. As an integral player on our team, Lauren possesses an impressive administrative background. She has worked in both the public and private sector, for organisations such as the City of London Corporation.
