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« Alcohol: Income Booster? | Main | Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems? »

September 21, 2006

Time to Stop Skipping Lunch

I admit it: I’ve turned into a work-through-lunch kind of guy.

I typically bring food from home -- a sandwich or leftovers -- and don’t break for much longer than the time it takes to nuke my meal in the microwave. Then it’s right back to my desk, where I’ll scarf down my food and continue pounding away at the keyboard.

I rationalize this silliness by telling myself I don’t want to “lose the momentum” I have going on an important project, or that I’ll make sure to leave the office a little bit earlier that day. But really, by skipping lunch I’m probably working even less effectively, because I’m not stopping to recharge my batteries and refocus my energies for all of my afternoon responsibilities. Plus, I still wind up leaving work at the usual time.

Quite simply: Not taking some kind of break during the lunch hour is a bad habit, and it’s one that I need to break. Here are some of my ideas for making that happen:

  • Inviting Others to Join Me: Since I’m a relatively new kid on the block here at Monster (I started just more than a month ago), I still have plenty of colleagues I don’t know very well. I’d be well-advised to start asking some coworkers to come along with me for a lunchtime chat.

  • Hitting the Gym: We have a small workout room just around the corner from my cubicle. Why not get in some early-afternoon exercise two or three times a week?

  • Picking Up a Good Book: I’ve been lamenting recently that I can’t find the time to read for pleasure.  Taking in a few chapters of a juicy novel during the lunch hour could be the perfect solution to that problem.

Maybe you have some other suggestions for me?

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Posted by Bryan on September 21, 2006 at 10:50 AM in The Daily Grind | Permalink | Comments (43) | TrackBack (0)

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Comments

I do the same thing as you; work through lunch. I augment my time by scanning blogs (i.e.: this one). We have no gym facility in-house, and I already pay for a martial arts classes at night.

And since I am in the minority of those who 'brown bag it', lunching with others isn't really viable.

I don't consider it at all silly; I don't seem to lose any effectiveness, but if it works better for you then that's what matters.

Posted by: Charlie on the PA Turnpike | Sep 21, 2006 11:34:09 AM

Charlie:

Thanks for your comment. I really do think I'd be better served by taking some kind of break each day, but your system sounds like it works for you!

Actually, scanning and commenting blogs could be a good way to fill up the lunch hour. It can be a good break from your normal routine.

I think we all need some variety in our day -- just to keep us sane!

Posted by: Bryan Person, Monster Blogger | Sep 21, 2006 11:43:50 AM

When I first started working in the 'corporate' world (commercial division of a beltway bandit located in Arlington,VA), I did the lunch outside the office thing with some of my pals from the office. With DC area's additional taxes on restaurants and hotels, daily lunches cost enough to fund the lease of a very nice Mercedes Benz.

Needless to say, I quit that bad habit and started brining my lunch from home. I ate at my desk, and usually surfed the net or played hearts on the 'puter.

For me it isn't so much about the location, but what I'm doing. I need some decompression time... just time to veg out and not think about "work" is helpful. One suggestion is to put your phone on DND. Another would be to close your office door (if you are lucky enough to not be in a cube prairie.) You might even try putting a little 'Do Not Disturb' sign on your door.

Posted by: Chief Executive Restaurant Recruiter | Sep 21, 2006 1:45:22 PM

Skipping lunch is never a good habit and yes it becomes quite expensive to do the lunch daily from some hotel or restuarant. One also gets bored of having it daily from outside. This is a good idea to bring it from home as I also do it. Secondly never have it full-stomatch otherwise you will be sleepy all the time and not only lunch hour but all working hours will go smooth (lol). After lunch what I do is play some computer games so as to energize my mind and then prepare for the next half.

Posted by: Naveed | Oct 5, 2006 1:50:16 AM

I'm also having the same problem and I haven't put much thought on what to do about it; sometimes I don't eat at all till 6 or 7 in the evening, but I understand this isn't the way to go on the long run. I'm curious, those of you that bring food from home, is it some snack, sandwitch, etc. to stop your stomach's protest, or is it a real cooked meal ?

Posted by: KeyboardBanger | Oct 16, 2006 6:09:24 PM

I'm also having the same problem and I haven't put much thought on what to do about it; sometimes I don't eat at all till 6 or 7 in the evening, but I understand this isn't the way to go on the long run. I'm curious, those of you that bring food from home, is it some snack, sandwitch, etc. to stop your stomach's protest, or is it a real cooked meal ?

Posted by: KeyboardBanger | Oct 16, 2006 6:14:42 PM

These post sound like they are from another planet. I've got a demanding job and 3 kids. Giving up 30-60 minutes/day to stop work would just mean more time on the lap-top (and less sleep) at night.

Posted by: Laura Keating | Oct 16, 2006 11:15:56 PM

Friends, Please take a lunch break! I am responsible for ergonomics and have performed numerous evaluations for employees who are working on 'important projects' or working long hours and are now experiencing discomfort or pain. This pain later leads to medical intervention unless we evaluate/improve the workstation, body postures, work habits AND reduce exposure to repetitive tasks. Take microbreaks at least! Stop typing and do filing. Stand and make phone calls. Stretch and improve circulation. Your body needs time to recuperate/relax to stay healthy! Remember, IF you go out on medical leave...you won't get any work done AND the company will keep moving without you! Protect your health.

Posted by: Camille | Oct 17, 2006 8:35:45 PM

I ate lunch no oftener than once a month for 50 years before retirement. I worked 50 to 60 hours a week and have no regrets at all. I retired, but could not stand it, so I am working in a retail establishment 40 hours a week and am enjoying it a great deal.

Posted by: Wilpat | Oct 17, 2006 8:38:31 PM

I made the mistake of not socializing at lunch and when one needs references, or potential people to hire one ... where are they if you don't NETWORK. Lunch is more than just eating!

Posted by: Daniel B | Oct 18, 2006 5:02:13 AM

When I was working full-time for a company, I would bring my lunch nearly every day. Usually it was a sandwich (peanut butter and jelly was a staple), crackers, a piece of fruit, maybe something sweet. It could get redundant, but at least it was easy to make and pack and, above all, inexpensive.

If it was a day that, for some reason, I wouldn't be able to refrigerate it, I'd make sure there was nothing that could spoil (like yogurt or meat).

At lunch, I'd usually meet friends out of the building and take my lunch to a food court (where they would buy something).

Bringing my lunch but getting out was a good mix -- I saved money, monitored my food intake, and was able to get away from my desk and think about something other than work for an hour. I'd go back to work refreshed. As for a later-day snack, I often brought granola bars or some kind of trail mix.

Posted by: Eric | Oct 18, 2006 8:27:37 AM

Go for a walk!!! Yes, I always brown bag (some small entree or a yogurt, plus crudite and fruit, maybe some nuts) -- and, I should be better about lunching with people -- but, I do make sure to get up and move. Get some fresh air and sunlight on my face. Occasionally, I can convince co-workers to walk with me and that's the best of all worlds.

Posted by: Jane Holdren | Oct 18, 2006 8:49:04 AM

Taking some sort of lunch break is a good idea. Be sure to leave your work area. Stretch, walk a little, read, visit the gym but be sure to leave the area. If that's not possible, you are sure to realize lower productivity during the afternoon. I bring my own lunch because I don't want to pay $8 for lunch per day which adds up very quickly.

Posted by: Joe Faulkner | Oct 18, 2006 9:03:23 AM

I work as the managing editor of a small, weekly community newspaper. That means I have to work my tail off the first two days of the week (my paper hits news stands Wednesday), but the rest of the time, I don't work the crazy hours I do the first two days of the week. Even on those days when I do work the long, crazy schedule, I make a break for lunch and I go to the lunch room to sit down and eat.

For me, it's important to get away from my desk and (sometimes, at least) away from the other responsibilities I have. I'll sometimes get the phone if someone has called for me, but I'll handle any tasks that may come from that after I've finished lunch. I'm not going to STOP lunch for my work.

Posted by: msarzo | Oct 18, 2006 9:32:54 AM

The last company I worked for would not allow us to eat lunch at our desks, but the lunchroom connected to the smoker's patio and was usually freezing and full of secondhand smoke. So many people ate lunch on picnic tables outdoors near the front of the building, and some ate in their cars. I tried to do something different every day. Sometimes I did eat in my parked car, but other days I took a walk with other employees, or found a nearby fast food, or went home, or went shopping. Regardless of what I did, that hour was SO IMPORTANT to my sanity. When I returned I felt refreshed and could handle the afternoon so much better. I also took my 15 minute breaks if I could. I must say that taking lunches and breaks away from your desk increases your productivity so much more that taking home work can become unneccesary. WORK SMART NOT HARD.

Posted by: M Cicotello | Oct 18, 2006 10:37:08 AM

I was just thinking about this problem recently, but not in relation to myself. I am very stubborn about keeping my lunch hour. I tend to take lunch rather late, and I figure if people get upset that work doesnt get done because they send it right when I've left, that's their problem for waiting until 1:30 to put in a rush request. I bag a lunch and bring a book, go the the cafeteria, and get a quality hour of reading in every day. I come back to the desk relaxed and more productive, whereas the people I work with who work through lunch always complain about how they keep working through lunch. The solution? Just don't! It's not like many employers appreciate that effort, you're not getting paid for it, and as you said most people who do that don't leave any earlier anyway.

Also, my work experience has been in places where if you even dare to check personal email, let alone do something like play video games, you could get fired. So there's no way I'd risk that even if I'm on break with a little "break sign" on my cubicle. The best way to take a real break and not get bothered is to physically leave your workspace.

Posted by: Julia Marselle | Oct 18, 2006 10:38:49 AM

Physically leave your desk on your breaks. That is the best advice given.

I did the same thing as you for years. Actually, I never ate breakfast or lunch at all and had dinner around 6 PM. That practice finally caused all kinds of havoc with my system. My metabollism went screwy and it took and is still taking tons of work to get it back working properly.

I also did not leave my desk for breaks, often coming in at 6:30 AM and leaving really late. Being committed to my job and really liking it, I didn't mind. But my body did. So I suggest that we all go for brisk walks, workout a little, meditate and refocus to keep in line physically.

Posted by: Ethel Powers | Oct 18, 2006 11:07:28 AM

There are a number of issues to think about when you develop a routine at work.

First, you are telling your employer, "This is what you can expect from me, this is the norm." That may make it seem that working straight through lunch or coming in early or staying late are great habits and show you are dedicated. While that is true to some extent also realize that eventually this extra effort becomes expected. Your employer will not continue to look at you each day and say, “Wow, look at so-and-so, I wish I had ten more employees like that.” They will expect that you will maintain the hours you have established for yourself. Therefore if you do something different, something you are entitled to such as a lunch break or not coming in until the scheduled time, then it gives the appearance of slacking off or a decline in your effort. Certain time commitments were asked of you at the time of hire. Follow those with 100% focus on your tasks and occasionally, as needed, put in the extra time but remember you need your time as well.

Secondly, I have read a number of comments about not wanting to slow your pace or that less work during the day means more work at night. Lunch does not have to mean you slow down or stop; just change gears. Yes, I tend to eat at my desk, if I eat at all. But I make sure that for the allotted time I am doing something other than my typical tasks. I balance my personal checkbook, go pick up a few dry-goods at the supermarket, return my children’s overdue library book, etc. Take time out to do what you need to do. If that is read in the cafeteria then do it. If you have too many errands to get done after work, do two over your lunch break. Life is a balancing act and going non-stop at work means your work will suffer and you will be out of drive when in comes time to tend to your personal business.

Posted by: erin | Oct 18, 2006 11:16:49 AM

I can see skipping lunch sometimes but they are there for recharging your mind and body for work needed to be done. You can always find reason not to take a break. Just think of the perfect reason to take any chance you can to get away from the stress of work life.

Posted by: pheonixlvr | Oct 18, 2006 1:49:11 PM

I'm a securities trader. LUNCH IS A WASTE OF TIME! Eat
and get back to work. I eat and keep one eye on the screens so I don't miss anything. I agree with you. If
you're in the middle of a project and want to keep your momentum going, then keep it going. Lunch is for lawyers, politicians and ad execs.

Posted by: Tall | Oct 18, 2006 6:56:09 PM

I recently got a job doing reservations for a limo company after 2 years unemployment. I put in 9 hours a day (1 hour o/t), 5 days a week, eat at my desk and glad to have it.

Posted by: Lopaka | Oct 18, 2006 9:10:57 PM

To the people who shop online, play games, post to blogs during lunch -- does it appear to your coworkers that you are 'goofing off' on the clock? Because you are *at* your desk, people may not realize that you are *at lunch*. Your lunch break gets interrupted, and you lose credibility if you are online/gaming, especially if your break falls outside the normal noon-hour (when nobody saw you hard at work while THEY ate out). Try to take your mental break away from your desk, or make a clever 'Out to lunch' sign to put up on your desk facing the doorway.
Keeps your hour (your checkbook and your shopping list) your own, and is a visible statement that you are 'back' and ready for work when the sign comes down.

Posted by: Sue | Oct 18, 2006 9:49:16 PM

Quick lunch ideas -

Buy frozen mixed veggies in a large bag. Dump some into a plastic container.

Same with meat. Buy a pre-cooked thing (or cook a roast per week or something), slice in meal-sized portions, wrap each portion in wax paper, toss them in a freezer bag. In the morning, add one portion to your veg mix - thawed by lunch.

Belcube or other single-serving cheese & whole grain crackers, which you can store in your desk.

Breakfast smoothie w/ tofu, banana (frozen, out of peel - cuts down on prep time), frozen berries, whatever else (soy milk, flax seed, yogurt). Takes 5 minutes to prep, put it in a coffee tumbler. Stays cool for hours, and you can make a whole blender full for a 2-day supply.

Posted by: elbhenry | Oct 18, 2006 10:01:25 PM

I've been doing this for a number of years but only because I work on flat-rate as a motorcycle technician.
It's true, the employer will expect you to come in early and stay late or work thru lunch. When your not around they want to know why, where did you go, when will you be back etc.. This is not good on your life so take a walk outside to get some fresh air with someone.
If the momentum is good and you feel it's necessary to find a stopping point before you break for lunch then do so but take at least 30 minutes for yourself.
Most work places want you to take your lunch time at specific hours so if you can get around that without any problems, work thru lunch and then take a break.
Dont burn yourslef out and loose focus on life.
Balance your life the best you can and have fun.

Posted by: browney | Oct 19, 2006 7:54:24 AM

There's nothing wrong with eating at one's desk during lunch. I do it because I save a ton of money and it allows me to complete my work and focus on my highest priorities: my family and my health (workout before work). I usually network via email with an occassional lunch out during the week. It's really just a matter of balance.

Posted by: Jeff H | Oct 19, 2006 9:28:36 AM

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