Whether you’re working from home or peddling around the office, we all feel the 2 o’clock blues. You know what doesn’t help? Skipping your lunch break. We’re all guilty of working straight through from time to time, but if it’s a habit for you, followed by frantic trips to the coffee pot all afternoon, try some of these re-energizing tips during your lunch break (that don’t include mindlessly scrolling Insta and TikTok) to help you get the most out of your afternoon.
1. Take a walk.
The duo of sunshine and exercise make for a nice, warm break in the middle of your day that increases your blood flow and serotonin levels. Grab your sunnies and soak up some of that delicious vitamin D (with SPF, of course). Leaving your desk or workspace even for a short stroll around the block can help you feel like you truly are taking a break and checking in with yourself.
2. Talk to a friend.
We all have coworkers we love (some more than others), but sometimes what you need to break up the monotony of your work day is to talk to a friend from outside of work. Grab lunch together or catch up over FaceTime (preferably after you’re done chewing).
3. Plan your evening.
Give yourself something to look forward to after work, whether it be trying out a new recipe, hanging out with friends or settling in to finally watch that movie. Plus, if you take this time to make a game plan of what you need to accomplish after lunch, you’ll be able to keep yourself busy so the afternoon goes by faster.
4. Try desk yoga or meditation.
Get your blood moving in your body and your mind. Clear your thoughts of any deadlines or meetings and center yourself by doing some breath work and light stretches. Really take this time to disconnect from your tasks or stressors and focus on you. Put down the phone and avoid all screens to give your eyes a much-needed break, too.
5. Take care of (personal) business.
It happens. Sometimes you need to mail a letter or go to the bank during work hours. Doing this during your lunch break will give you the time you need to take care of your personal affairs without falling behind on your workload, as well as the satisfaction of crossing something off your to-do list. Bonus: It gets you up and moving, even if it’s just to your car.
6. Try something new.
There’s too much to experience in life to just do the same thing over and over again. Reclaim your lunch break as an opportunity to experiment. Go to that restaurant you’ve never been to. Make a new friend. Eat your lunch in that park you drive by every day. That fun consignment store with the cool window display? Take a peek inside. Who says exploring is just for weekends?
7. Organize your space.
If you feel like you just can’t get away for lunch for any of these other activities, at least take the time to straighten up the area around you. Put those emails on the back burner for five minutes and give yourself the gift of a less stressful environment. Decluttering your space can help you declutter your mind.
8. Chew your food.
Really. Enjoy your meal. Take a second to savor the flavor, even if it’s just a PB&J. Don’t inhale it just to get back to the next task. It’s a break. Take it.
This article originally appeared in the May 2021 edition of The Work Wife.
Click here to sign up for the monthly e-newsletter:
