Why you shouldn’t skip your lunch break—whether you’re working for a company or yourself
It’s lunchtime.
The line between work and rest has been a blur in the work-from-home set-up. While eating as you cross off some items on endless to-do lists has become a norm, it’s a definite no-no.
As stressed by experts, it’s paramount to take your lunch break and avoid working through it no matter how full your day is. Doing so can “keep you in better touch with your actual hunger cues,” registered dietitian nutritionist Tamara Duker Freuman explained in an article on CNN International. Otherwise, he added, you may experience hunger pangs, low blood sugar, and irritability.
According to Business Insider, neuroscientist Dr. Gazzaley and psychologist Dr. Rosen both recommended rewarding yourself with good breaks to prevent mental fatigue and give your brain function a boost. That way, you can perform well throughout your work shift.
A previous study cited on CNBC News stated that those who had their lunch break on a daily basis were more likely to say “I am as effective and efficient as I would like to be,” “I am satisfied with my current job than those who don’t,” “I feel valued as an employee,” and “I have a strong desire to be an active member of the company.”
The question now is: How can you make it a point to enjoy your lunch break, even when you’re working remotely? Workplace experts interviewed on HuffPost suggested that you step away from your desk, eat mindfully, and connect with a loved one in-person or virtually, among others.
That being said, time to take your lunch break!