6 great reasons to ditch your desk at lunchtime

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut of eating your lunch at your desk whilst you try and get on with work. But you’re entitled to a lunch break and you should make the most out of it! It’s not good for anyone to sit at a desk for nine hours a day, so get up from your desk and do something different on your lunch break…

1. Networking opportunities 
Use your lunch break as an opportunity to meet with new people and network. Free online network “Lets Lunch?” connects to your LinkedIn profile and matches you with like-minded lunch partners. Who knows who you could meet in your lunch break?

2. Explore the area
If you work in a city centre, chances are new cafés and restaurants are popping up all the time. Go out with a colleague and try out different places. Make it a weekly thing to find a new place or attempt to find the best sandwich in the city.

3. Treat yourself
Is there a hair or beauty salon round the corner? Why not head to one and get a quick blow-dry or have your nails done during your lunch break. If you’re having a stressful day, it will make you feel so much better.

4. Listen to an audio book or podcast
If you’re looking for some inspiration or just want to kick back with a story, head outside or put your feet up in the meeting room and chill out for 20 minutes. Be inspired by a TED talk – as they are no longer than 18 minutes, they are ideal bitesize viewing.

After learning about something else for a little while, you’ll go back to your desk with a fresh mind.

5. Work out
Take your trainers to work with you and go for a run around the block in your break. Alternatively, see if there is a gym close by. Then you can burn some calories on the cross trainer and feel refreshed and ready for the afternoon once you return to your desk.

6. Get to know your colleagues
It’s difficult to really get to know your colleagues in an office environment. There’s probably people sat a few desks away that you rarely speak to. So invite people out for lunch and get to know them, you never know what you could have in common with them and knowing those around you could make your work day much easier.