Rinse & Repeat
Lunchtime!
Rinse & repeat - a cheeky phrase found on shampoo bottles, practiced in our kitchens, and relevant to nearly everything in our daily lives. The term suggests doing something again and again in the same manner, often as part of a routine or habit. This simple idea is the origin of long-term health and wellbeing. What would it look like and feel like for our healthy habits to be as simple as washing our hair and rinsing our dishes?
Let’s dive deeper.
It’s lunchtime. Did you put all your work aside for a real break with a healthy meal? Or did you work through it, eating a convenient spoonful of peanut butter and some crackers, while still sitting at your desk? If you’re in the latter camp, you’re not alone. It's easy to do. In fact, it's easier to skip the lunch break and continue working than it is to take the time to stop, prepare some food, and enjoy it. BUT… We don’t need an article to tell us skipping lunch is not the healthiest habit to practice day in and day out. So we have a choice - continue in our usual way, or make a conscious decision to turn our lunch break into a mid-day self-care ritual that provides numerous health benefits.
The Benefits of a Lunch Break
Taking a proper lunch break isn't just about satisfying hunger; it’s about nourishing both body and mind. When we rush through lunch or skip it altogether, we miss something critically important for success - a chance to reset and recharge. For both mind and body, the benefits of a break and a healthy meal are far superior to working through lunch in almost every circumstance.
A survey by Tork revealed that employees who take a lunch break every day score higher on job satisfaction, efficiency, effectiveness, and are more likely to stay with their employer. The survey showed that 90% of employees consider taking a lunch break crucial to their productivity and job satisfaction. It's a small, simple act that can have a big impact when repeated consistently.
Interestingly, that same study found employees who do not take a lunch break are more likely to work evenings and weekends compared to those who do. In other words, taking a lunch break is actually a predictor of working less during your personal time!
Make it a Ritual
The act of prioritizing and scheduling time for a lunch break during your workday is beneficial in both the short and long term. When done consistently, taking a lunch break becomes a recognizable signal of self-care. When it's an established habit, missing your lunch break can act as a feedback loop indicating you're out of your normal rhythms! This feedback loop can prompt reflection and inspire behavior adjustments to account for the change. For example, let’s say you missed lunch to meet an afternoon deadline on a project. Can you use that circumstance as a signal to stop work a bit earlier or add a short snack break mid afternoon so you’re not waiting until dinner to eat?
Ideas to ritualize a lunch break:
Practice mindful eating
Take lunch at the same time
Eat in a peaceful environment or change the scenery
Eat food you look forward to
Setup lunch with a friend or colleague
Customizing your lunch break to meet your own needs and desires also fosters mindfulness. By intentionally focusing on nourishing your body and giving your mind a break, you become more aware of your overall wellbeing. This awareness can spill over into other areas of your life, encouraging you to make healthier choices throughout the day and creating a positive ripple effect on your overall lifestyle.
Summary:
Nourishment: A proper lunch break nourishes both body and mind
Establishing Rituals: Building a ritual around lunch breaks reinforces healthy habits and signals self-care as a priority.
Mindfulness: Customizing your break fosters mindfulness, enhancing awareness and promoting healthier choices.
Ask yourself:
Am I regularly taking a lunch break? Why or why not?
What do I need to do in order to prioritize taking a lunch break?
What would make for an awesome lunch break that I can implement immediately?
