Having a committed team on your side is beneficial, but if your employees don’t take frequent breaks, it may affect their physical and emotional health and productivity.
On the surface, a team that works nonstop all day may appear outstanding. However, employees that skip lunch to meet deadlines suffer the consequences, and your business doesn’t grow to its full potential.
If your office isn’t filled with paper take out boxes, then your employees don’t probably have lunch breaks that often.
Taking lunch breaks may seem counterproductive to increase productivity, but it’s one of the most effective strategies to boost work performance. After getting up from their desk, employees can regain their focus and energy, preventing a slump for the rest of the day.
Some may think you can’t do much on lunch breaks because of the limited time. This article will give you ideas on how to make the most out of your lunch breaks at work.
Why Taking Lunch Breaks Is Important?
It’s vital to take short breaks throughout the day, especially during lunch breaks. Employees have the opportunity to refuel for the second half part of their day during this 30 or 1-hour break. People who take lunch breaks gain many benefits to your company. Here’s how eating well can increase productivity:
Recharge your Brain
Eating lunch improves your physical and mental health, and scheduling a lunch break each day will make you get up from your desk and interact with people. Working lunches can make you ill, and being more productive when sick is never a good idea.
Giving your brain some break will improve your coping skills, emotional intelligence, focus, decision-making ability, and retention.
Lessen Fatigue
Work breaks can improve your blood pressure, digestion, and sleep routine. Every hour, taking one 5-minute microbreak can increase mental agility by an average of 13%, cut weariness by 50%, and even get rid of muscle pains.
Boost Creativity
Disconnecting from work and leaving the workplace for 20 to 30 minutes to eat lunch will help refresh your brain if you are feeling overwhelmed. You can reorder your chores and projects according to their urgency and importance and uncover a new perspective.
For example, perfume box manufacturers are more likely to develop new designs for packaging if they have ample break time before resuming work.
Encourage Social Interaction
Workplace cultures that support breaks can boost employee interaction and work performance. It’s more likely for people who take lunch breaks to claim that they are efficient when they have lunch breaks.
How To Make The Most Of Your Lunch Break
You may feel that skipping lunch is acceptable since you’re working on a project due soon or needs to be ready for a meeting. However, making the most of your lunch break can make or break the rest of your day. Here are some ways to make the most of your office lunch breaks.
You Can Exercise
Instead of slouching at your desk and surfing the internet during your lunch break, try to get some exercise. There won’t be a long wait to use a machine at the gym during lunch because your office mates are eating.
Exercise has many physical advantages but can also help you feel better mentally and emotionally. As a result, you’ll return to work feeling optimistic and prepared to face the day.
If Possible, Don’t Eat On Your Desk
You won’t make the best of your break if you eat lunch at your desk while working. You will be less likely to become sidetracked by work if you have lunch somewhere other than your desk, and your coworkers will know you are taking a break for lunch. A change of location can also help revitalize your energy for the afternoon.
Have A Nap
Take a nap after a busy morning of straining. You probably don’t get enough sleep, so take advantage of your lunch break to catch up on some rest. If you work remotely, then nothing beats a good nap at home. Set your alarm.
Take A Stroll
Use your lunch break to stand up, take a stroll, stretch, run, visit the gym, or enroll in a fitness class. Ongoing studies show that productivity and physical health are closely related. Additionally, getting some exercise while at work enhances your mental cognition.
Breathe Some Fresh Air
If there is a garden, park, or even a small area of grass nearby your office, take a stroll and breathe some fresh air. You can also bring plants inside as well as look for them outside. According to psychologists, indoor plants can boost workplace efficiency.
Final Thoughts
Employees are entitled to take a break and enjoy their lunch; even manufacturers who do hard labor, such as in the wholesale bottles and jars industry, deserve rest.
It can be demanding to establish and sustain good work habits. Taking a break from your day is helpful to your performance at work, regardless of your profession.
Your mental and physical well-being improves when you don’t work during lunch breaks. So stop working during lunch breaks and take that time to have some fun.
