Shea Simmons
We’ve all done it. We needed to catch up on work, so we ate at our computers. With many working from home, you’ve got no coworkers around and your home is your office. But taking a lunch break might be the key to enhanced productivity.
While it might seem as though a working lunch can help you get more done on your to-do list, multitasking is actually bad for your focus and productivity according to Richard Davidson, PhD, professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin and the founder of Center for Healthy Minds.
“Instead of paying attention to all of the external things constantly pulling at us, simply attending internally and checking in with ourselves can help conserve our resources and renew and refresh our capacity to pay attention,” said Davidson.
Yes, there are specific things you can do during your lunch to help. First, Davidson recommends checking in with yourself to find out when you most need your break. Davidson said that asking yourself how you’re doing can allow you to gauge your need for rest. This can then help you learn the times that breaks are best for you.
Davidson also recommended a moment of mindfulness with your lunch. This doesn’t mean you need to do a full meditation routine, though. As an example, he often takes time to acknowledge gratitude for those who helped prepare his lunch like the farmers, delivery drivers, and store workers. You can do whatever works best for you.
Finally, you should just chill out. Davidson recommended shutting out your work life and taking a moment to just be while eating. If you’re constantly going over your to-do list or worrying about your next meeting, it defeats the purpose of actually taking a break.
The next time you’re tempted to skip lunch, pencil in some time in your day for the break instead. It’ll help your productivity and focus throughout the day.
Need some lunch inspiration? Try these mason jar salads.
[Via Well + Good]
