Why Your Lunch Break Deserves Better Than Your Desk
We’ve all been there: unwrapping a sandwich with one hand while clicking through emails with the other, crumbs falling between keyboard keys as we convince ourselves we’re being productive. But eating lunch at your desk isn’t the efficiency hack we pretend it is, it’s a wellness compromise that’s costing us more than we realize.
The Hidden Cost of Desktop Dining
When you eat at your desk, you’re not really taking a break. Your brain remains in work mode, your body stays in the same hunched position, and that multitasking actually reduces your ability to enjoy your food or focus on your work. Studies have shown that taking proper breaks improves afternoon productivity, creativity, and decision-making. The twenty minutes you “save” by staying put often result in hours of diminished performance.
Beyond productivity, there’s also a health factor. Taking time to focus on eating doesn’t just provide a psychological break; it enhances your body’s ability to digest the food you’re eating. By stepping away from your desk, you are signaling to your brain that it is time to eat, so it starts producing the hormones involved in the metabolism process. Not to mention the overindulging associated with eating in front of a screen. You’ve heard of mindless scrolling, but be wary of mindless munching.
And let’s not forget the physical implications. Sitting for eight-plus hours straight contributes to back pain, poor posture, and a host of other health issues. Your lunch break is a perfect opportunity to move, stretch, and give your body a different position. Even a short walk to a breakroom or stepping outside can make a significant difference.
Where Employers Come In
Here’s where the responsibility shifts from individual choice to organizational culture. Sure, you could take your lunch to your car or eat standing in the kitchen at home if you’re remote, but wouldn’t it be better if your workplace actually gave you somewhere pleasant to go?
A well-designed breakroom or outdoor seating area isn’t a luxury, it’s an investment in employee wellbeing that pays dividends. Companies that provide comfortable, inviting spaces for breaks are sending a clear message: “We value our employees and their wellbeing.”
The best breakrooms offer more than just a microwave and a wobbly table. Think comfortable seating, natural light, maybe some plants or artwork. These spaces should feel different from the work environment, a genuine departure that allows your nervous system to downshift. Some companies are going further with outdoor furniture, creating patio or garden spaces where employees can eat lunch, have walking meetings, or simply get some fresh air and vitamin D.
Outdoor options are particularly valuable. Even ten minutes in natural light can improve mood, reduce eye strain from screens, and help regulate your circadian rhythm for better sleep. It also doesn’t have to take much; a few bistro tables under an umbrella or some Adirondack chairs in a quiet corner of the property can transform the lunch experience from obligation to genuine respite.
The Business Case Is Clear
Forward thinking employers recognize that breakroom and outdoor furniture aren’t expenses, they’re assets. Companies that prioritize break spaces see improved employee satisfaction, better retention rates, and yes, higher productivity. When people feel cared for and have spaces that support their wellbeing, they bring more energy and engagement to their work.
These amenities also foster connection. A comfortable breakroom becomes a natural gathering place where colleagues from different departments actually talk to each other. Those informal conversations build relationships, spark ideas, and strengthen company culture in ways that forced team-building activities never will.
Making the Change
If your workplace lacks proper break spaces, it might be time to advocate for change. Bring it up with management or HR. Frame it not as a complaint but as an opportunity, a relatively low-cost way to boost morale and productivity. Offer to help research options or even organize a committee to design the space or just contact Bassett Office Supply and let us do that part of the project for you.
And in the meantime, commit to stepping away from your desk for lunch. Find a park bench, a coffee shop, or even just a different room. Your afternoon self will thank you.
Your lunch break is yours. It’s time to actually take it, and time for workplaces to make it worth taking.