Treat Yourself to Some Lunch

by Cheng-Ling Chen — January 29, 2008

It's lunch time. You're starving, but you still have three phone calls to return, a bunch of emails to go through, and that thing you're supposed to prepare for. You don't have time to take a break, so you grab a snack bar and polish it off as you multitask.

You may think taking a lunch break is a waste of time, but research shows that it is in fact the opposite. Breaking midday boosts energy, resulting in increased productivity. You don't have to take a long lunch break. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your lunch hour.

• Eat before you realize you're starving. If your blood sugar level goes too low, you may find it difficult to focus and be prone to feeling overwhelmed. Take a break for a healthy lunch, and then start again.
• Eat a light lunch. Choose whole and organic foods over fast or processed foods. The perfect lunch should leave you satisfied and energized without feeling sleepy.
• Hydrate during the lunch hour.
• Do a few rounds of deep breathing. Inhale for five counts. Feel your breath fill up your chest, ribs, and belly. Then exhale for five counts, as the air leaves your belly, ribs, and chest. Close your eyes while you cleanse your system with each new breath.
• Give yourself a little massage. You can do this right at your desk. For your face, gently rub your fingers on your temples, eyes, sinuses, cheekbones, and jaw. Massage your neck and shoulders. Use finger points to massage your scalp.
• Take a short walk to get your heart pumping and circulation going. Moving your body and getting fresh air will help you burn off lunch calories, clear your head, and release endorphins to put you in a good mood.
• Chill with a peppermint treat. Peppermint has energizing effects. Enjoy a cup of peppermint tea or a peppermint candy. Dab minty essential oil on your temples or under your nose to chill out.

Give yourself a chance to let go of the morning hours. You'll gain a new frame of mind to take on the rest of the day.