Make the most of your free time at work by maximising your lunch break.

21 May 2018

Getting back to work on a Monday after the weekend can be tough, but there is a way you can make the most of your free time at work by maximising your lunch break.

According to our resident expert dietitian Sarah Noone, by making the most of our mid-day time out, we can make your days healthier and afternoons more productive.

Here are Sarah’s top tips to make the most out of your lunch break:

Eat lunch away from your desk:

Not paying attention when we are eating can lead to mindless overeating. So, instead of eating at your desk, try to make lunch a social activity and sit with your colleagues in the staff lunch area. On a nice day you could even find an outside area close to work to eat your lunch.

Go for a walk:

Rather than sitting at your desk for yet another half an hour, why not have a change of scenery and try to get in a lunchtime walk. It is recommended that we all get 30 minutes of physical activity five times a week and every bit counts. Also, a change in scenery will help you feel refreshed before you return to work for a busy afternoon.

Bring your own lunch:

Instead of buying an expensive lunch try making your lunch at home either the night before or in the morning. Sarah advised “When you make lunch at home you are more in control of what goes into it (and what doesn’t go into it!).  Making a little extra food for dinner and then bringing it for lunch the next day can be a cheap tasty option, especially if you are bored of sandwiches.”

Stay hydrated:

It is easy to mistake thirst for hunger. This means you might reach for some snack foods when your body really needs fluid.  Keeping a bottle of water on your desk at work throughout the day is a great reminder to drink. Sarah suggests adding a few cucumber slices, lime, lemon or strawberries “for an extra kick.”