Give Yourself A Real Break: 5 Self-care habits you can do during your lunch break
Keep these tips in mind as you start another week of work!
Much too often, we find ourselves da-baoing something and just eating it at our desk while staring at our computer screen during our office break. In fact, studies have shown that 29% of Singaporeans stay at their desks during their precious lunch hours instead of actually taking a break and going out.
Not only does this completely defeat the purpose of a “break”, not taking a proper break while working can lead to a significant decline in your mental and physical health. Sitting down for long hours on end leads to physical deterioration that could even lead to an early death, and constantly being surrounded by things that remind you of work is detrimental to your mental health.
Instead, do these things and truly take a break away from work.
#1 Pamper yourself
You might not be able to reserve yourself a full blowout appointment at your favorite beauty salon during your 60-minute break, but you can always treat yourself to a nice 30 minute deep-tissue massage or a quick stop at the nail salon! Their quick services are specifically marketed towards the busy working woman…take advantage of it!
#2 Socialise with your coworkers
Try to find time to connect with your coworkers away from your workplace. They are humans that have lives outside of work too! Get to know what they like to do in their free time, and if you discover that you two may have shared interests, maybe even schedule an outing during the weekend as well.
#3 Take a walk, a jog, a run…get those endorphins pumping
One of the biggest downsides to having a desk job is having to sit inside a stuffy cubicle for hours. It’s uninspiring, bleak, and sometimes downright boring. So spice up your life by standing up and getting some precious vitamin D by walking or jogging to that one fancy cafe you always pass by on your way to work and have wanted to try for ages. Or if you have a gym membership, clock in some leg work! (P.S. There are great female-only gyms in Singapore.) As long as you plan ahead and come back at an appropriate time, no one should have a problem with you having a little adventure during your lunchtime.
#4 Savour and enjoy your food
There will be days where you only have five minutes to spare to eat because you have a last-minute meeting. But try to dedicate at least one meal per day where you can sit and enjoy your meal! With breakfast probably being a frenzied morning rush and dinner being a tired-out ordeal, make your work lunch that one meal where you really appreciate food as healing and as a blessing. Sit, order, eat, and relax. (Don’t eat too much carbs though, or else you’ll find yourself nodding off in the afternoon with food coma!)
#5 Let go of your devices
Do you find yourself scrolling through your phone as you munch on something? Stop. Take your phone and turn it off. It might be awkward to actually look around while you eat alone in a restaurant, but chances are, everyone around you is too busy to care. Take your eyes off that toxic blue light-emitting screen for once, and your eyes will thank you in the long run.
Kanako Sugawara
Photo: Getty Images
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