Maximising Your Lunch Break: Quick Ways to Recharge
There are so many hours in the working day. Getting the most from them often requires forethought and preparation. This applies not just to the hours you’re actually working but to your downtime, too.
In particular, the lunch break is a chance not just to eat and drink but to recharge your energy levels so that you can attack the afternoon just as vigorously as you attack the morning!
Get Moving
If you’re in a sedentary job, as most modern workers are, then now is a chance to enjoy a short, intensive exercise session. This will help you to drive down stress, fend off illness, lose weight, and reduce your risk of injury.
Where it’s feasible, you might want to spend a thirty-minute session in the gym. You might go for a short walk into town or even do some callisthenics in the office. Provided that there’s time to do the workout, get cleaned up, and eat, then this is a good use of the hour.
Enjoy a Healthy Meal
Naturally, the primary function of the lunch hour is to allow us to enjoy lunch. Your lunch, ideally, should be as healthy as possible. After all, this is a working day, and you will want to provide your body with the energy it needs. Preparing your meals can make a big difference here. Learn some one-pot recipes, or spend an hour or so on Sunday night putting together five different (or the same) balanced meals for the week ahead. Meal preparation is an art, and you can get a great deal from it if you’re willing to invest the time.
Practice Mindfulness or Meditation
Mindfulness meditation is becoming extremely popular among the high-functioning executive classes. But it isn’t a fad; it’s actually extremely effective. You can practice meditation during a short chunk of your lunch hour and de-stress ahead of the afternoon. You don’t need any special equipment; your office chair, or even the floor, can be extremely beneficial.
Take a Mental Break
While meditation might seem arcane and intimidating, most of us know how to take a break. The key here is to avoid the things that are going to distract us and take up cognitive space. Avoid phone time in favour of a good book or a podcast. You might even take a short nap or find joy in small things, like a quality cup of black tea.
Socialise or Network
Human beings are social animals. If you’re unceasingly focused on work and don’t take the time to chat with those around you, then stress can result. As such, it’s very useful to take the time to chat with your colleagues and friends. You can do this in a café, in a bar, or in the office canteen. This can actually strengthen the personal bonds that will allow you to work more effectively as part of a team.
