When was the last time you took a proper lunch break at work? And no, scoffing a sandwich at your desk while replying to emails doesn’t count! Experts are so concerned about the lack of lunch breaks in workplaces that they propose making them compulsory.
Why Make Time for Lunch?
Professor Frank Partnoy – who is also a former Wall Street trader – is leading the call for compulsory breaks. His argument: that taking a lunch break allows us to unwind, slow down and put things in perspective.
“If we burrow into work and don’t come up for air during the day, we will have a hard time thinking strategically or putting our daily tasks into broader context,” Partnoy says.
Partnoy makes his point in the context of stockbrokers, who are notorious for skipping lunch, working late and making up for it with a frantic fast food feast. Interestingly, at a trade centre in Tokyo where Partnoy once worked, there was a mandatory 90-minute break each day. He notes that the break had an extremely positive influence on the trade floor, saying that workers tended to be less stressed and able to work more efficiently and strategically after taking time out.
Productivity is just one area that benefits from taking a lunch break. Here are a few other reasons to step away from your desk:
- Manage your weight: Research has shown that eating three meals and two snacks each day can help maintain a healthy weight. Eating a fresh and filling lunch may also help you avoid the pesky mid-afternoon munchies, when many of us reach for a sugary or salty snack.
- Have more energy: Eating throughout the day also keeps your energy levels up. This in turn can help you work more effectively and enjoy your work more.
- Go on a date: Partnoy points out that lunch breaks are great for single people. With free time during the day, you can avoid an awkward dinner date and opt for a more relaxed lunch meeting instead.
- Run errands: Need to re-register your car or post an important letter? Rather than waste your weekend rushing about town, take time during your day to run errands.
- Make better food choices: When you don’t give yourself time for a proper lunch break, you’re more likely to make a poor food choice. Fast food might be convenient, but it only adds unnecessary calories, fat and other nasties to your diet. If you have a long break, however, you can take time to enjoy a healthy meal with colleagues at a sit-down eatery. Or better yet, bring lunch from home and eat it in a sunny spot.
The Practicalities
For some of us, the choice to take a proper lunch break may be out of our hands. You might like to chat with your boss about how they could benefit from encouraging a daily break. It may take some juggling to ensure someone is always manning the phones, but it will certainly be worth it.
Originally published on Jun 19, 2013
