If You Only Do a Few Things at Your Lunch Break, Try These

How often do you feel sleepy after lunch? I do many times. This feeling is so powerful that sometimes it is hard to get back to work. According to the research, cognitive performance is at its lowest in the middle of the day, and the brain cannot work as productively as it used to do in the morning.

Lunchbreak is the perfect chance to boost the energy reserves for the rest of the day.

These ideas should help you come up with the things you can effectively do after your lunch.

1. Write Down Your Daily Thoughts

On average, a person has about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. Scientists claim around 80% of those thoughts are negative.

It seems our mind tends to focus on bad things and keeps repeating the same thoughts over and over again.

I’ve recently tried a “Morning Pages technique” suggested by the artist Julia Cameron. Her book encourages readers to write down morning thoughts on the paper sheet as a method to break through a creative block.

Here is what I learned from practicing morning pages for more than a month — it helps develop a habit and clear the state of mind. However, if you push yourself to do it, you will sooner or later quit.

Use your lunchbreaks to do what you can’t do in the morning or evening. Transmit your thoughts from your head to the paper to get off the stressful mental state.

2. Reflect On Your Current State of Life

Think of your current achievements and struggles while eating your lunch. Are you happy with your life? Does anything bother you?

I often think about life challenges while taking a shower or commuting to work. These are routine activities that do not require deep thinking. Hence, I can focus on other things that stress me out.

“Since everything is a reflection of our minds, everything can be changed by our minds.” — Buddha

1-hour lunch break a day gives you 5 hours a week! If you are transforming your lifestyle, changing your career, or relocating — use your lunchtime to relax and fix unresolved issues.

3. Connect With Your Colleagues

How well do you know your colleagues? Do you hang out with them, or do you go home straight away after work?

I work abroad, and I admit networking with colleagues is not easy. We all have different backgrounds, cultures, nationalities, languages, and interests.

Lunchtime is a great opportunity to meet new people, ask questions, and share facts about myself.

This way, I learned about the Hungarian culture, places to visit, peculiarities of the Hungarian language, why Spanish people have dinner at 9 pm, etc. This experience is priceless, and I would have never got this opportunity otherwise.

“Connecting with others gives us a sense of inclusion, connection, interaction, safety, and community. Your vibe attracts your tribe, so if you want to attract positive and healthy relationships, be one! “— Susan C. Young

Try to invite some colleagues for lunch or join an already formed group of people. This way, you leave your comfort zone, expand horizons, and build good relationships at work.

4. Come Up With the Cooking Plan for Dinner

Moving away from the psychological to pragmatic things. It might sound banal, but everyone struggles with this question — “what to cook for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?”

You can spend your lunchtime thinking about what to cook for dinner, what your kids will be eating for breakfast tomorrow, or what your husband will take for lunch.

I sometimes google quick recipes at work. It is a routine and tedious job, but someone has to do it.

5. Take a Power Nap — If You Won’t Get Fired

Although I am not a big fan of a mid-day nap, scientists say 20 minutes of sleep in the afternoon are more beneficial for your body than 20 more minutes of rest in the morning.

You can reduce your stress level and improve cognitive functioning in just 20 minutes of napping.

“The replenishing thing that comes with a nap — you end up with two mornings in a day. “ — Pete Hamill

If you feel burned out and fatigue — try having a power nap at work to recharge your batteries. More offices become cozy these days; thus, employees have the freedom to work wherever and whenever they want.

6. Reconnect With Your Family

Call or text your family and let them know you’re thinking of them. Family is the greatest gift a human could ever ask for.

Even If you live far from your parents, your support is still needed.

“Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.” –Anthony Brandt

Take your phone, go to a park, call your family and chat about nothing. Your attention is everything they need.

7. Read a Book (On Various Topics)

Research studies confirmed 30 minutes of reading lower blood pressure, heart rate, and psychological stress as effectively as yoga and humor.

If you are engaged in deep work or stressful activities, reading books will help you stabilize your mental state.

“Spend your free time the way you like, not the way you think you’re supposed to. — Susan Cain

I used to eat my lunch and read Sherlock Holmes stories when I worked as a client manager. Continuous communication with new people consumed a lot of my energy. Reading in silence helps to release stress and get rid of all negativity.

8. Listen to a Podcast

If you stare at your laptop for the whole day, then do a favor to your eyes — stop looking at the screen for at least 30 minutes.

According to Dr. Blakeney, an optometric adviser to the College of Optometrists, computers will not permanently damage your eyes. However, they can cause strain or exacerbate existing eye conditions.

If you experience eye discomfort, headache, dry or watering eyes, blurred vision, difficulty focusing as a result of your work, it is a sign that your eyes are tired and need a break.

Instead of watching videos, try listening to a podcast at your lunch break! You can even combine it with a short walk outside. Your body will thank you for this healthy habit!

9. Learn a Foreign Language

Why not practice a new language in a free time? I live abroad without knowing a local language, and it is challenging.

A new language unlocks a whole new world you could not probably see, understand, or feel on your own.

Scientists say that age is not an issue when it comes to a new language learning. It doesn’t matter if you’re 20, 40, or 60 years old. Your brain retains the ability to create, mend, and restructure neural connections through life, which means humans are perfectly able to learn a new language at any time.

10. Go For a Short Walk or Workout

When you disengage from work, you forget about the current challenges, tasks, and obligations. You let your brain relax and come up with new, creative solutions.

A study of office workers concluded:

“Standing up and walking around for five minutes every hour during the workday could lift your mood, combat lethargy without reducing focus and attention, and even dull hunger pangs.“

Many workers have switched to home-office, including myself. This opportunity provides more freedom. Someone can go for a short walk with a dog, cook lunch at lunchtime, or do a quick workout.

In my case, I do a 10 minutes warm-up with the hula hoop at home. This way, I stay active, keep fit, and recharge my batteries for the afternoon tasks.

Final Thoughts

There are so many things you can do during your lunch break. You can dedicate it to inner-self, get your mind off work, and fix personal issues.

If you change your workplace, try to hang out with a new team. It is an opportunity to build good relationships at work.

Use your break to call home and hear your family voices. Let them know you support and love them. If you experience fatigue — have a power nap to recharge your mental state.

Read a few book paragraphs, start learning a new language, or listen to a podcast. It will help you to switch focus and rest your eyes.

May you find the exercise that brings you health, happiness, and the pure joy of moving with ease!