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Recess – It’s What’s for Lunch!

Recess

There’s no doubt that a break, somewhere in your otherwise routine day, is beneficial and can lead to more productive hours in the aftermath. However, many of us at work spend our lunch time ‘googling’ things we didn’t get to finish up last night, or editing some report for work and yes, even catching up on work emails.

People – that is not really a lunch break!

We’d like to suggest some of the following activities for your lunch hour and hope they provide inspiration for a few ideas of your own!

WalkingTried and true – take a walk: Just a twenty or thirty minute walk will clear your head, burn some calories, add to your 10,000 steps a day and give your circulation a boost. Walking briskly for just 30 minutes a day can result in weight loss even if you change nothing else! AND… walking just 20 minutes a day can reduce your risk of premature death – by a third! Did you know lack of physical activity is worse for you than being obese? I did not know that!

Learn something new: Shut your door or grab your laptop and head to the park to enjoy an on-line class that you can move through at your own pace. Whether for fun (Creative Writing?), to satisfy your curiosity (the History of Comic Books?) or an academic subject to enhance your career, topics abound. You can also check with local community centers, libraries, craft stores and hardware stores for lunch-hour classes. Learn yoga, a new language, or how to antique a dresser in a class designed to get you learning and back to work in a timely manner!
Knitting

Knit: I know I’ve touted the benefits of this in previous posts, but it’s a very relaxing activity that’s easily portable. It provides a creative outlet for any work-related frustrations the morning may have caused as well as giving one a feeling of accomplishment. You will have visual proof of progress! Any portable crafting activity – needlepoint, cross-stitch, beading, crocheting, hand quilting, plein air painting, sketching, etc… will work. Quite often, I’ll put on a podcast while knitting which provides the added benefit of keeping me in the know!

BicyclingBike ride: Getting on a bike and feeling that breeze while pedaling away always makes me feel younger. When I’m done, I am never sorry for having taken that ride. This activity usually needs to be followed by a shower (for me at least!) so I am quite thankful for the facilities we have here at work. See first point for all the benefits of moving!

Lunch with FriendsEat lunch with others: I rarely do this; I get a little territorial about my lunch break. When I do say yes to the invitation though, it really is a nice break. Kvetching with others is a great change of pace. Get away from your desk, get out of the office building or home office, and talk with someone face to face. It refreshes your communication skills, allows you to interact in a more relaxed manner, provides an opportunity to vent if necessary, and gets you listening – all of which can make your afternoon communications seem easier.

Running ErrandsRun errands: Seriously, this is like a treat to me that sometimes feels like playing hooky. If I can run to the post office and mail off a package and then swing by the store to pick up those few items that I need for dinner that evening, all within my lunch period thus eliminating having to do it on the way home – SCORE!!! Checking off things on our lists makes everyone’s day. Just watch your time so you don’t have to apologize when you get back to the office, and you’ll feel ready to take on the afternoon at full speed. You’re already on a roll – keep up the momentum!

LibraryTake a trip to the library: Plan this for later in the week and you could find that Friday night movie you wanted to see (but just didn’t get to while it was still in the theaters). Bring your list of books others recommended or that caught your eye, and you’ll have an interesting read on hand should you find yourself inside on a rainy day, or an evening with free time, waiting to pick up a child/grandchild from their summer activity, waiting at the doctor’s office, between flights, while traveling….I could go on and on. In my world, there’s always time for a good book!

So, the moral of the post is – don’t waste YOUR time. Just because it is free time doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable. It’s one of your most precious resources – do something beneficial, something you enjoy, something other than work!!        -M

Out to Lunch_2

What are you doing behind your “Out to Lunch” sign?

0 Comments

  1. Well I do have one other idea for lunch break. It is not very motivational but sometimes very necessary and that is take a power nap.

    1. I forgot about that one Tresa! Sometimes those power naps absolutely HAVE to be taken, I agree!!! A nice warm car in the middle of the afternoon is perfect. I always set my alarm though so I don’t go past those 15-20 minutes otherwise I am going to need the afternoon off 🙂

    1. An excellent way to spend your lunch time. Does it motivate you to get out there and take some lessons? Maybe one day, El (aka Abe) will tell you about when she and I would ride our bikes to the local tennis court and be SUPER supportive should one or the other have a ‘fall out’!

      1. Oh I’ve had lessons and I play regularly but I’m still not very good. Watching Wimbledon fortnight is traditional here. I stop preparing food for the family and we eat salad for a fortnight so that in itself is keeping me healthy …. 😆

    1. Thanks Natine, appreciate the kind thoughts.
      Work is work, whether at home or away. Probably more important to take those breaks when at home or you lose that boundary and the separation of professional and personal ‘space’ gets lost.

  2. When I had a proper job I loved to meet up with friends or colleagues or even take a work related meeting over lunch – the latter seemed to always have a good outcome ……… Nowadays I tend to catch up on emails or blogging. Nice to see you back! xo

    1. Thank you Pauline – appreciate the kindness.
      A nice lunch with friends sounds lovely doesn’t it! Even when not working, getting out and socializing, practicing those face-to-face communication skills, is still important and rejuvenating.

  3. The best summer job I ever had was filling in for a woman on maternity leave. The job itself was just so-so, but the business was 4 blocks from the public library, with a shaded patio and picnic tables for the public. The three of us–and they were funny, interesting, thoughtful women–all walked there every day for our hour-long lunch. We sat together and talked or browsed for books, and then walked back to work. It was wonderful.

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