February 29, 2016

Six Lunch Break Activities to Increase Productivity

Sitting at your desk for eight hours (or more) per day can seem like an eternity. Dividing your day into two smaller segments may increase your productivity and make you feel better while at work. Your lunch break is a perfect time to take a break. Below are six activities you can do over your lunch break to increase your productivity while at work.

Eat Lunch! This seems obvious, but eating a healthy, balanced meal will give you the energy you need to stay full and focused for the rest of the day. Many employees either choose to snack throughout the day or skip lunch in order to do work. Try to avoid sugary snacks, as those can lead to more hunger later in the day. For more information about setting a culture that embraces a lunch break, read our previous blog post Midday Disconnect.
Change your scenery. Get up, walk around. If you don’t have enough time to leave your office, eat in the break room or cafeteria. You’ll be surprised at what a difference this makes.
Exercise. Your options are endless for this activity. You don’t need to go to the gym and change clothes to get a little exercise. Some easy options include:
- Take the stairs
- Exit the building through a side or back door and walk around the building
- Walk to lunch
- Do chair squats (Click for more Desk Exercises)
Go outside. Enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. If the weather permits, eat your lunch outside. A recent study even suggests a simple 20-minute walk outside is as effective as a cup of coffee when it comes to reenergizing your body and mind.
Relax. Work can be stressful, so taking a few minutes to disconnect can make your time at work even more efficient. While eating, ignore your phone calls and emails. Do not browse social media sites just to waste time. Instead, listen to your favorite music on your phone or via the Internet. Do a little meditation. Prepare yourself for the remainder of the day.
Make a to-do list for the afternoon. Prioritize your tasks and have a plan to tackle the rest of your work for the day. Being able to account for and see your accomplishments as you complete them will make you more productive and happy.

Below is an infographic we found at waiter.com. As you can see, not many people exercise over their lunch break. We’d love to hear what you do over your lunch break. Please leave a comment and let us know what your routine is.