Anyone for lunch? Or are lunch breaks just for wimps?

Chances are you're reading this whilst hastily tucking into a sandwich at your desk. Lazy lunches where maybe a glass of wine is consumed and playful banter enjoyed are something of an urban myth. Has anyone enjoyed a guilt-free lunch out with friends recently? One where you are not anxiously looking at your watch every few minutes and wondering what your boss will make of your rebellious lunch time behaviour? Although many of us like to believe Sex and the City brunches are real rather than a figment of Candace Bushnell’s imagination, beneath the optimism we know too well that only the very brave, privileged minority have the time, freedom and confidence to indulge regularly in such frivolity. Should  Miranda, a high powered lawyer by trade, really be spending an hour or so out of the office debating the morality of her friends promiscuity or resolving their relationship woes?

In the real world, more and more of us are reluctant to leave our desks and actually take the rest break we are by law and company policy entitled to. Research shows that only 1 in 6 workers take regular lunch breaks. And the recession is making things worse; the pleasure of lunch breaks is tainted by our fears of being seen as a wimpy worker. Continuing job uncertainty is making us more anxious than ever to please our bosses, feeding a damaging culture of presenteeism in the workplace and compelling us to make our breaks even shorter. But despite good intentions, denying ourselves a proper lunch break, a walk in the park or a gossip over a coffee on a regular basis is neither in our personal interest or that of the business’ we are working for.

I present the following case for taking a well-earned lunch break:

Enhanced productivity. Having a break can actually boost your productivity by re-vitalizing tired thoughts, recharging your energy levels and inviting fresh insight that can make a scary to-do list seem suddenly more achievable.

Coping with stress. Taking a walk or having a grumble with friends over a coffee can release tension and help you manage a stressful day more effectively.

Building better working relationships. Lunch breaks can provide an opportunity to get to know your colleagues. Better social relationships lead to more effective working relationships, which will not only make your working life easier but also could add enjoyment to your job.

Improving your well-being. Going out to lunch doesn't only boost morale, it can also protect your health. Eating at your desk means our keyboards are home to a disgusting assortment of bacteria. The average work station is 400 times dirtier than a toilet – would you ever eat a sandwich off your toilet seat? In addition, uninterrupted computer screen use is jeopardizing our eyesight and hunching over a desk for hours on end is damaging our posture.

Are you convinced? Go on, pop out for lunch, you deserve it.