It’s everyone’s favourite time of the working day, lunch! So, what are you going to do with your spare half hour?
The main objective of your lunch break is to eat, rest and recharge for the last half of your day, but it’s also a great time to do something positive for you. So, what are some of the best ways music licencing company PPL PRS have come up with to mix up your lunch break and make the most of the time you have to reset your brain?
Take a stroll
Getting fresh air is the perfect way to rejuvenate, as being outdoors is associated with boosted vitality. Incorporating fresh air into your daily routine can boost your energy levels and help you feel ready to tackle the rest of your to-do list. And, since it’s recommended that we strive for over 10,000 steps a day, walking is a great way to get some physical activity into your day without disrupting your plans.
Walking alone is a great way to clear some headspace, but if you don’t like walking alone and can’t find a friend to tag along with, why not listen to music? Listening to music is a great way to relieve stress, which can help you feel refreshed for the rest of the day at your desk.
Try meditation or mindfulness
While it raises questions for many, meditation and mindfulness are becoming increasingly popular in the workplace, so why not give them a go?
Gathering your thoughts can reduce anxiety and boost productivity for the rest of your time in the office. Lunch is the perfect time to sit still and focus on your breathing while also practising gratitude and goal setting. Taking this time to pause and rest can benefit your mental state.
Practising meditation or mindfulness is a good way to inject positivity into your day and can lead to increased focus in the afternoon. With rising accessibility to mindfulness resources, plenty of free meditation apps and guides are available to keep you company at lunch.
Lunch and learn
A lunch and learn is a light-hearted training session or presentation where different employees can share ideas and knowledge at lunchtime. Not only is this a great way to facilitate inter-team communication, but it can also increase your co-workers’ engagement and creativity. Giving colleagues the freedom to present something relevant but interesting to them can encourage imagination. It will allow your workmates to get to know each other while learning simultaneously.
Get pesky errands out of the way
After a long day at the office, nobody wants to stop off at three different places on the way home. So, if you’ve got a long enough lunchtime, you can tick some errands off your list during the day, freeing up your spare time and helping you get your mind off work for a little while. From popping to the post office to grabbing the missing ingredient for dinner from the local supermarket, running a few errands is a great way to be productive and take a break from sitting at your desk.
Catch up with someone you often miss
If you’re constantly struggling to deal with the hustle and bustle of work, and life itself, your lunch break is a great time to take a breather and catch up on the things that matter. For example, catch up with a friend you’ve not spoken to. Whether you have time to meet for a coffee or can just about squeeze in a short phone call, chatting to someone and showing that you care is a great way to destress and take your mind off work. Not only that, but you could make someone else’s day too.
However, if you choose to spend your lunch, changing your routine every now and then will have massive benefits for the rest of your working day. By altering your routine, you might get a lot more out of your days while ensuring you can return to your desk with a clear head for the working day ahead.
