How to do

The modern workplace is shifting, and one growing conversation is about the idea that employees should ditch eating lunch at their desks. This isn’t just a matter of personal choice or convenience; it’s something that touches on productivity, mental health, and the overall vibe in the office. When we start to look at the bigger picture, it’s clear that making this change could really improve the workplace for everyone.

To begin with, stepping away from your desk for lunch is critical for mental refreshment. There’s no shortage of studies that back this up: roughly 60% of employees say they’re more productive when they take a proper break and get out of their work environment. The simple act of walking away from the screen or taking a moment in a break room can go a long way in easing mental fatigue. It’s like hitting the reset button—people return to their tasks feeling recharged and ready to dive back in with a clearer head. And when we’re looking at productivity, that’s a win. Encouraging employees to break away from their workstations for lunch could mean better performance overall.

But there’s also something to be said about the social side of lunch. Eating together isn’t just about refueling—it’s an opportunity for colleagues to bond and build stronger relationships. Research has found that around 70% of employees feel more connected to their coworkers when they share lunch breaks. These casual, unstructured moments of interaction can foster better teamwork, spark new ideas, and improve communication. In other words, the benefits extend beyond personal well-being; they can enhance the collective strength of the team and the quality of their work.

Another angle to consider is the distraction factor. Office environments can be noisy, filled with interruptions, and generally not the best places to focus, especially while eating. Eating at the desk merges personal time with work, and that’s a recipe for decreased productivity. The American Psychological Association points out that employees who eat at their desks tend to spend 20% more time on tasks without getting more done. Having a proper break away from work allows for a clean mental break—so that when you come back, you’re not mentally tangled in emails or Slack messages while chewing your sandwich.

Let’s not overlook the nutrition side of things either. Lunch is important, not just because it fills you up, but because it fuels your body for the rest of the day. But in many offices, unhealthy snacks are always within arm’s reach. Employees who stay at their desks often end up nibbling on junk food, which can lead to sluggishness or worse, bad eating habits. When employees take their lunch elsewhere, they tend to make better choices. About 75% of employees pick healthier meals when they eat away from their desks, which means they’re not just taking care of their work but their health too. Eating mindfully can make a big difference in how employees feel and perform throughout the day.

Switching to a workplace culture that encourages lunch breaks outside the office might feel a bit awkward at first. It’s a shift that requires some effort, whether it’s through new policies or simply fostering a cultural change. Offering employees access to flexible break areas, places where they can relax and recharge away from their desks, is one practical step toward this change. But the discomfort in making this transition is well worth the long-term benefits.

In the end, discouraging lunches at desks can have a profound effect on both employee well-being and productivity. From recharging the mind to strengthening workplace relationships and making healthier eating choices, the positive outcomes are clear. Sure, it might be a little tough to change old habits, but the benefits far outweigh the temporary inconvenience. In the long run, creating a healthier, more productive, and more engaged workforce is something every employer should aim for.