In a world with more complex work demands than ever before, it’s time to reclaim the humble ‘lunch break’, and make some quality time for refreshment, revitalisation, and regrouping.
It’s the best way to improve your productivity, your health, and your concentration.
Grab a cup of concentrate
In a survey of workplace habits, we asked how long people could work for without distractions causing their concentration to dip. Nearly a third of people didn’t think they could notch up two hours of focused, interruption-free work. Only 20% said they could manage a full three to five hours (an average morning or afternoon’s work).
So what can be done to improve work focus? Well, it turns out a spot of afternoon tea or a nice stroll might be the answer. More than half of respondents agreed that the best way to reboot your brain cells, regain concentration and increase productivity was by talking a brief walk or grabbing a tea or coffee. I’ll put the kettle on.
Step away from it all
With concentration nose-diving after 2 hours, you need a break. A real break. This doesn’t just mean eating a sandwich at your desk while tapping one-handed and filling your keyboard with crumbs (have you seen between those keys?). Step out of your workspace completely, even if it’s for a few minutes. If you’re lucky enough to have a canteen or a break-room in your office building, eat your meal there. If it’s a bright day, build up your vitamin D reserves by sitting in a nearby park. Your brain and your keyboard will thank you for it.
Pack up lunch means pack up work
Recent figures show that over a year, many office workers spend more than half a month’s wages on lunches bought in cafés and coffee shops. So we realise it makes financial sense to bring food from home. This doesn’t mean you have to keep working though; it’s important to look after yourself as much as your wallet. If you must stay at your desk, then why not read a book while you’re eating, or catch up on the news? Ten per cent of you told us that even browsing the web for a few minutes helps you regain concentration.
Give homeworkers a break
But what if you work from home? 70 per cent of you told us that your industries are seeing more remote workers than you did five years ago. The blurring of lines between work and home spaces means that taking a break is often more of an effort for homeworkers than it is for those based in an office.
Just because you’ve made your den the most comfortable room in the house, it doesn’t mean you should be locked in it for 9 hours a day. Booking a local lunch-time exercise class or scheduling a food shop for the middle of the day can make a huge difference to your productivity in the afternoon. In fact, our research tells us that a simple change of scenery can benefit productivity.
What is it that people say about sitting being the new smoking? Get out there, take your lunch break back and get more productive, focused and driven for the rest of your working day. I can almost taste the renewed vigour.
So come on, let’s do lunch!
