These days, lunch breaks seem to come in Styrofoam boxes with plastic utensils and computer screens often replace the view of stepping outside. Even though the habit of forgoing lunch is seen by most as an acceptable way to play catch up with a busy schedule, it’s not the solution in the long run.
The problem with skipping lunch is wishful thinking. In other words, the amount of time you spend working will somehow overcome the workload if you just continue working 30 minutes longer. Granted, there are times when working with deadlines requires that you push through lunch in order to complete the project however if you keep up the pace on a daily basis you are setting yourself up for burnout.
Lunch breaks are for you. They help keep your energy levels high and your concentration levels strong. Despite the health benefits of taking a lunch break, only one in five employees takes an actual lunch break, according to a survey by Right Management. The survey indicates that 39 percent of employees say they eat lunch at their desk and 28 percent say they seldom take a break whatsoever.
The survey indicates an acceptable trend of skipping lunch in what used to be considered a real lunch break and confirms what most employees fear: that taking a lunch break would interfere with the demands of their workplace.
When you make it a habit of not taking a break, you put your physical and mental health in jeopardy. The benefits of leaving your desk and changing scenery far outweigh eating at your desk.
The key to taking a lunch break is building time into your schedule and then making it a priority. A good way to help you take a break is to schedule lunch with a coworker, making it difficult to skip. Taking a break doesn’t always have to involve lunch; it can be used for exercising, taking a short power nap, or simply moving around. A recent health alert noted the dangers of sitting for long periods of time and supports the need to take to keep you physically and mentally moving. Even if you are the one in five that takes an actual break, you’ll reap the benefits by being more productive in the long run.
What do you think keeps people from taking a lunch break?
