How should you spend your lunch break?

It’s everyone’s favourite time of the working day – lunch! So, what are you going to do with your spare half hour?
Obviously, the main objective of your lunch break is to eat, rest and recharge for the last half of your day, but it’s also a great time to do something positive for you. So, what are some of the best ways to mix up your lunch break and make the most of the time you have to reset your brain?

1. Take a stroll

Getting a breath of fresh air is the perfect way to rejuvenate, as being outdoors is associated with boosted vitality. Incorporating fresh air into your daily routine can boost your energy levels and help you feel ready to tackle the rest of your to-do-list. And, since it’s recommended that we strive for over 10,000 steps a day, taking a walk is a great way to get some physical activity into your day without disrupting your plans.

Walking on your own is a great way to clear some headspace, but if you don’t like walking alone and can’t find a friend to tag along, why not listen to some music? Listening to music is a great way to relieve stress, which can help you feel refreshed for the rest of the day at your desk, too.

2. Try meditation or mindfulness

While it raises questions with many, meditation and mindfulness are becoming increasingly popular in the workplace, so why not give it a go?

Taking the time out to gather your thoughts can reduce anxiety and boost productivity for the rest of your time in the office. Lunch is the perfect time to sit still and focus on your breathing, whilst also taking the time to practice gratitude and goal setting. Taking this time to pause and rest can be really beneficial for your mental state.

Practicing meditation or mindfulness is a really good way to inject some positivity into your day, and can lead to increased focus in the afternoon. With rising accessibility to mindfulness resources, there are plenty of free meditation apps and guides available to keep you company at lunch.

3. Lunch and Learn

A lunch and learn is a light-hearted training session or presentation, where different employees can share ideas and knowledge at lunch time. Not only is this a great way to facilitate inter-team communication but it can also increase your co-workers’ engagement and creativity. Giving colleagues the freedom to present something relevant but interesting to them can really encourage imagination and will provide an opportunity for your workmates to get to know each other, whilst learning at the same time.

4. Get pesky errands out of the way

After a long day at the office, nobody wants to stop off at three different places on the way home. So, if you’ve got a long enough lunch time, you can start to tick some errands off your list during the day, freeing up your spare time and helping you get your mind off work for a little while. From popping to the post office to grabbing the missing ingredient for dinner from the local supermarket, running a couple of errands is a great way to both be productive and take a break from sitting at your desk.

5. Catch up with someone you often miss

If you’re constantly struggling to deal with the hustle and bustle of work, and life itself, your lunch break is a great time to take a breather and catch up on the things that really matter. Take, for example, catching up with a friend that you’ve not spoken to in a while. Whether you have time to meet for a coffee, or can just about squeeze in a short phone call, chatting to someone and showing that you care is a great way to destress and take your mind off work. Not only that, but you could make someone else’s day too.

However you choose to spend your lunch, changing your routine every now and then will have massive benefits for the rest of your working day. By altering your routine, you’ll find you might get a lot more out of your days whilst making sure you can go back to your desk with a clear head for the working day ahead.