UT Medical Group, Inc.

Español?
Translation by
FreeTranslation.com
Make the Most of Your Lunch Break

Recent surveys show that the average American worker’s lunch time has been downsized—a trend that may contribute to job burnout and stress.

"Everybody needs a break over the course of an eight-hour day,” says UTMG psychologist Mace Coday, Ph.D. “Whether your lunch time is one hour or 30 minutes is not important as long you have a say in it, and as long as you take that time to make healthy, stress-reducing choices. Your employer will suffer a lot less if you take some time out each day to rejuvenate.”

Dr. Coday offers these tips to help you make the most of your work breaks:
  • Take the time to eat a healthy lunch. If going out to lunch is too hectic, consider bringing a nutritious meal from home, such as fruit and your favorite sandwich.
  • Add some variety to your break time. Spend a few minutes doing a relaxing activity such as reading or meditating outside. More energizing activities include taking a brisk 10-minute walk or talking to someone about something other than work.
  • Try to think about positive aspects about yourself and those around you. Don’t take work anger to lunch with you.
  • Avoid tackling personal or financial problems during your break or lunch time. That will only add to your stress. Keep this time for yourself because you’re worth it!

Imagine that you have an hour for lunch. What will you do? Will you follow the example below of the unhealthy lunch or will you take the healthy path? It’s up to you!

The unhealthy lunch: You have one hour, and you leave work thinking that you can get out and back on time. Traffic is bad, so you go to the nearest fast food place and load up on burger, fries, and soda to combat the task ahead. You rush to the mall to run an errand for your child while wolfing down your food in the car. Then you race back to the office to find you come in five minutes late again, and your boss makes a snide remark.

The healthy lunch: You ask your employer if you can take 30 minutes instead of an hour for lunch so that you can arrive at 8:30 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. That extra time in the morning allows you to help with the carpool without feeling rushed. Your boss graciously agrees. At lunch time, you go outside and eat under a tree. Your lunch that you prepared the evening before consists of fruit and a tuna sandwich with light mayo and pickles on wheat bread. You relax under the tree and read for about 10 minutes. On your way back to the office, you call a friend to chat about your plans to go to the lake this weekend. You arrive back to work on time, relaxed, and refreshed.

Which would you rather do?
Information and links found on the UT Medical Group, Inc. web site are neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency call your healthcare provider immediately.