Ever notice the impact eating at your desk has on your productivity for the rest of the day?
If you take a second to retrospect about the days you work through your lunch period compared to the days you actually leave your desk, studies show that you are much more productive throughout your day if you get some movement going during lunch time.
Workplace consulting group, Right Management noted to FastCompany that, “Only one in five office workers reports talking an actual lunch break away from their desk.” This is exactly what employees should start doing! Yes, there is always the idea that there is not enough hours in the day to complete all their daily tasks, but they need to do themselves a favor and turn their work switch off for those thirty minutes to an hour. This is why you should encourage your staff to leave their desk during their lunch period:
Your brain is smart, but it cannot keep up.
Our brain is our most powerful tool, so we need to be mindful enough to give it a break. Our common myth associated with our brain is that it can keep up with us, but frankly it needs breaks to recuperate from all its daily non-stop functions. Contrary to popular belief, working consecutively does not increase productivity, so do your brain the favor of not over exhausting its cognitive capacity. Skipping lunch will only result to over exhaustion and the things on the to-do list are not going to get done as efficient. Plus, their day will only seem longer, and who wants that?
Separation anxiety? Co-Workers will help with that!
Some employees may suffer from separation anxiety at first because they miss their desk, but there is social value in making that big step. Simply by leaving their desks, their brain will reboot through social interactions. Not only does talking with others serve as a refresher, but your staff can also bond through these lunch breaks.
A lunch a day will keep the doctor away
Your glucose-intake will determine how productive you are for the day. Not only does skipping meals lead to overweight, but skipping meals leads to less energy, less productivity and more stress. Also, sitting at a desk for eight hours straight will increase back pain and joint discomfort. Avoid the sick day leaves, being short staffed and dealing with doctor’s notes. This can all be avoided by an employee leaving their desk and eating a proper meal each lunch period.
Lunches are perfect nap times
There are endless amounts of benefits associated with napping, so if your employee is eating a quick meal, there is time to fit in a nap. Studies show that around 2 pm our energy decreases. If there is a heavy need for a nap, lunch time is an ideal way to clear your working memory for new information to retain.
Break the myth; employees should leave their desk each lunch period. Their efficiency will not show improvement simply by sitting at their desk during lunch time.
