Eight ways to make the most of your lunch
For many, food is one of life’s greatest pleasures: something to be savoured and enjoyed. However, it seems that this notion doesn’t tend to extend to lunch in the workplace. We surveyed Brits and found that a huge 87% of us don’t take our full lunch hour at work, choosing instead to eat ‘al desko’.
A quarter (25%) of those surveyed also rated their lunch break as dull to really dull! We think a lunch break should be just that – a break from your work, something to brighten up your day. We asked our staff what they like to do to shake up their lunchtime, and compiled their answers into eight lunchbreak activities that will get you away from your desk, and feeling your best.
Get some exercise
While it might seem like the last thing you want to do, doing some exercise is a great way to maximise your lunch hour, as it’ll give you more energy for the rest of the day, helping you to beat the infamous afternoon slump.
Many gyms offer shorter lunchtime workouts designed so you can be in and out and back at your desk by 1pm. Alternatively, grab a yoga mat or take a brisk stroll around the block. Not only will it help to clear your head, it’ll give your eyes a welcome break from staring at a screen all day.
Learn a new language
Always dreamed of learning a new language? Why not make the most of your lunch hour and download an app or some podcasts – a lot of these are available for free, and only need a pair of headphones to begin. They say practise makes perfect, so imagine how good you’ll get when practising for up to an hour every day!
Maximise your efforts even more by asking your colleagues if anyone else is interested, too – that way you’re both accountable for each other’s learning, and you can even choose to only speak to each other in your new language as your skills develop, to improve further.
Practise mindfulness
Being mindful is all the rage nowadays, and it’s easy to see why; it can help to reduce stress, and increase happiness, with just a little bit of dedication and practise.
There are several ways to practise mindfulness, so you might want to test a few out to see which you prefer. From meditation apps to colouring books, there’s bound to be something you enjoy doing – and you’ll finish your lunch break feeling relaxed and refreshed.
Read a book
When was the last time you picked up a book and read? For many of us, it’s a fond memory of childhood, but not something we really make time for anymore. Using your lunchbreak to read is a great way to get back on the wagon, and power through some amazing books. Check out Amazon’s best sellers, head to your local charity shop, or see what’s trending on Kindle – you’re sure to stumble across something great.
Catch up with friends
As an adult, things often get in the way of seeing your friends. Using your lunch hour to catch up – whether that’s by phone, email, or even meeting up over a coffee – can be really beneficial to your friendship, and it’s a good way of relieving stress if you have something on your mind.
Do all your life admin
Most of us work five days a week, leaving just two to get any life admin and ad-hoc chores done. Using your lunch break to carry these out can free up a few hours on your days off – time which can be used for anything you want, whether that’s gardening, shopping, or even just sleeping!
Take a nap
This one is work-place dependent, as it’s generally frowned upon if you take a sleep at work. Some offices do offer chill out zones or nap areas however, and if they do you should definitely think about taking advantage! A 20-minute nap can be a good way to catch up on lost sleep and give you enough energy to power through the afternoon.
Play some bingo games!
Of course, we couldn’t finish the list without recommending all of the fabulous games we have available on GalaBingo.com. Why not use your lunch break to head out of the office, grab a coffee and check out some of the amazing games we have on offer? We have the largest selection of online bingo games in the UK, with games to suit every level, so there’s bound to be something to suit everyone. We even have games which are free to play, meaning all the bingo fun, without spending a penny! Check out our full range of bingo games here.