6 Healthy Things You Should Do On Your Lunch Break

For most people, their lunch break at work is a time to go down the street, pick up their favorite local meal, and come back to their desk to begin working again.

However, taking a break during the day isn’t a sign of slacking off or not showing enough initiative. In fact, short breaks can have a positive impact on not only your work ethic, but on your brain power as well.

If you’re trying to stay as healthy and upbeat as possible, utilizing your lunch break is a great way to maintain your healthy habits. Next time you are wondering what to do midday at work, try doing these six healthy things on your lunch break.

1. Enjoy Your Food

Sure, it may seem obvious to eat a meal during your lunch break, but don’t just scarf down a sandwich and scurry back to the office. Take the time to actually savor your food and unwind.

Being a mindful eater can help you adapt healthier eating habits and even lose weight, so next time instead of rushing to pick up takeout, enjoy your meal seated down at a table without distractions.

2. Meditate

After the hustle and bustle of the day, it can be very helpful to enjoy some moments of piece and quiet. Whether you’re sitting at the desk or taking a walk to the park, taking even 20 minutes to be mindful of your thoughts and surroundings can have major benefits.

In addition to relieving workplace stress, meditation can lower your blood pressure, improve your immune system, and even improve attention, memory, and learning according to WebMD.

3. Catch Up With A Friend

You’ve got an hour, so why not call up an old friend or even your mother? Socializing is imperative to our mental health, and studies show that having a large network of friends can increase your lifespan by 20 percent. Talking to friends can also decrease your levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.

4. Stretch

We’ve heard time and time again to get up and walk around during lunch or even workout, but if you don’t have time to hit the gym, it’s just as important to make sure you’re stretching your muscles.

Sitting all day can cause back problems and even ruin your mood, so take the time to do some simple stretches in the office for better overall health.

5. Take A Nap

Taking a quick cat-nap during the work day may seem like a lazy option, but it can actually have some impactful mental benefits. Taking just a 30 minute nap can help boost your energy levels, improve your memory, increase your creativity, and even lighten up your mood.

6. Read

If you need a way to unwind, why not pick up a good book? You can opt for some career-boosting nonfiction if you are trying to take your work to the next level, or ditch the work them and pick up a riveting novel.

Reading can help reduce stress, stimulate your mind, and improve your writing and analytical skills, among other benefits.

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