Have you ever skipped your lunch break to do work? A lunch break is for more than just eating - it is a time to look after your health.
Lunch breaks are an important part of the workday and are required by law in most places. Quite often, people work while they eat which limits the benefits a break can have on well-being and work performance.
Working through lunch breaks may not be to your advantage. Taking a lunch break can improve productivity and concentration. When we work continuously for long periods, tiredness sets in, concentration decreases and we can make mistakes. A break can reduce stress, give us a change of scenery, and help us re-focus when we go back to work.
There are not only performance benefits but also health benefits for getting away from your workstation for a lunch break. The workstation is a breeding ground for germs. Bacteria cover keyboards, desk surfaces, and office supplies. A desktop contains ten million bacteria! Unless you wipe your keyboard every day, you are putting your health at risk by eating at your desk.
Eating while you work can lead to 'mindless eating'. When distracted by work or entertainment, you ignore your body's natural ability to tell you it is full. This means you may keep eating even though you do not need to. It is best to eat in a relaxed, non-distracting environment, so you can pay attention to your body's natural hunger cues.
There are other places to eat instead of at the desk. In the summer, take your lunch outside to a nearby park. You could picnic with friends and have everyone bring a healthy food to share. In the winter, meet a friend or colleague in the lunchroom or cafeteria. Take time to talk about non-work events like family, movies, books, or hobbies.
Another way to use a lunch break to improve health and well-being is to use some of the time for exercise.
The Health Canada recommendation for physical activity is 60 minutes each day. Many people can do this with a few short bouts of physical activity. If lunch is one hour, you can go for a 20-30 minute walk. If you have a half hour lunch, go for a ten-minute walk.
Sometimes a work place does not function very well for lunch breaks. Some places may not have the space, tables, chairs, or even a lunch area. This may be an opportunity to advocate for a better work environment for employee health.
There are many benefits to taking a lunch break. Be a leader in your work place and take advantage of those benefits.
Written by the Public Health Nutritionists of Saskatchewan and supported by Public Health, Sunrise Health Region.
If you have any comments or questions please contact: Heather Torrie, Public Health Nutritionist, Sunrise Health Region, 150 Independent Street, Yorkton, Sask. S3N 0S7 or phone: 786-0600.
