Many office workers take lunch at their desks. They grab a sandwich and carry on working. The old habit of going out for a lunch break is in decline. But there are some compelling reasons to go out for lunch with someone instead of eating at your desk:
Eat Out
Sitting at your desk all day is linked to various health issues. Walking to a cafe or restaurant, even a short distance, gets you moving and can help counteract the negative effects of prolonged sitting. Stepping away from your workspace reduces stress and mental fatigue. A change of scenery and social interaction can improve your mood and help you return to work feeling refreshed and more focused.
Sharing a meal is a great way to build rapport with colleagues, clients, or friends. It fosters trust, encourages open communication, and can lead to stronger professional and personal connections. Furthermore, taking a relaxing lunch with a colleague can stimulate creativity. Discussing ideas outside the office can lead to fresh perspectives and innovative solutions that might not emerge in a typical work setting. Lunch with a larger group can open doors to new opportunities or collaborations. You never know who you might meet or what conversations could lead to.
Eating in a group can encourage engagement and motivation. A study by Kevin Kniffen at Cornell University studied the habits of firemen. It found that those that shared a meal during the working day performed better. A study in the USA by Tork found that people who took a lunch break every day scored higher on job satisfaction.
Don’t sit all day and slump into cognitive decline. Go out and enjoy your lunch break!
Absolutely true… plus other hygiene risks
Your desk is for work, and the canteen or restaurant is for eating! End of story!
Couldn’t agree more, thanks for sharing! So many of my colleagues eat at their desks, but I have an aversion to it (not to mention getting crumbs in the keyboard!) so always try to eat elsewhere and get out of the office if I can.