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Kemi Badenoch doesn’t believe in the simple lunch break.
The Conservative leader sparked a wave of discussion after her recent interview with The spectatorwhere she claimed that taking time to eat your lunch was “for wimps.”
Instead, the 44-year-old is in favor of lunch ‘al-desko’, that is, eating while he continues to work.
“What is decompression, what is that?” she said.
While Badenoch’s comments (whether in jest or otherwise) have sparked even more debate in Westminster circles, she is not an outlier when it comes to skipping breaks at work. An increasing number of employees are forgoing lunch; a 2023 study from corporate catering company ezCater found that 48% of respondents skip lunch at least once a week – while 40% are now skipping breaks more often than last year. It’s very different from previous decades, where long drunken lunches took place bonding with colleagues and customers reigned supreme.
But whether it’s taking an hour out of the office to grab a bite to eat (be it steak or Badenoch’s loathed soggy sandwich), or a quick break to recharge your mind, time out from work is not only beneficial for the workplace, but also vital.
“Breaks are vital as they help reset stress body and mind”, explains the psychiatrist Dr. Sham Singh out Harper’s Bazaar. “Constantly working without taking time off can result in mental fatigue, loss of focus and sometimes even completeness burnout.
“Taking a break from a task gives your brain time to process information, improve cognitive function and reduce stress levels. It’s not just about food, but also about taking some much-needed time for yourself, away from work mode, and tuning into your physical and mental needs.”
Burnout is a particularly prescient problem in today’s work environment. A survey by mental health company Spill found that at least 79% of British employees experience burnoutwith 35% reporting high or extreme levels. “Lunch breaks contribute significantly to well-being as they help reduce stress and increase mental clarity,” continues Dr. Singh. “Frequent breaks have been proven to improve mood and reduce anxiety; even physical problems such as muscle tension and headaches can be avoided in this way.
“This time spent nourishing and resting your body will certainly help with emotional regulation and resilience, making it easier to tackle challenges that arise at any time of the day. These breaks also remind us to take care of ourselves, which is integral to maintaining good mental health in the long term.”
While the mental health benefits are reason enough in themselves, taking lunch away from computer screens can also increase productivity. In one survey from the communication app Slackpeople who take regular breaks reported 13% higher productivity than those who don’t. Meanwhile, the aforementioned ezCater study found that taking lunch breaks correlated with better job performance.
“We shouldn’t underestimate the power of a break – it allows our brains to digest and process information, draw informed conclusions and make better decisions,” says the career coach Ayesha Murraywho specializes in helping working parents. “Some of our best creative thinking happens in the middle of a break, not immersed in the task at hand.”
Of course, when the workday is filled with meetings, assignments, and urgent emails, making time for food can seem like an impossible indulgence. However, Murray explains that there is a way to prioritize and juggle the workday so you still get your lunch without letting things slide.
“First, prioritize projects and tasks using a tool like the Eisenhower Matrix (a grid that allows users to rank tasks in order of urgency and importance). Then think about organizing your day based on those priorities,” she says. “Think weekly about what is going well and what needs to be adjusted in the coming week. Have you focused on the right things? Do you need more support? Did you manage to stick to the breaks you set aside time for?”
Murray adds that we may have to welcome the return of the business lunch, where we can reconnect with clients while away from our desks. “It’s a chance to connect while still completing tasks and giving yourself a screen break,” she reasons.
The Leader of the Opposition may turn up her nose during lunch breaks, but really those in positions of power should be leading by example and showing how useful time away from the desk can be. “Lunch breaks are not just about you, but about setting the right tone for workplace culture,” Lucia Kempa future of work expert and employee experience consultant, explains. “When we normalize skipping breaks, we create environments where rest and balance are not valued.
“But when we take the time to pause, it sends the message that wellness is important, and that benefits everyone.
“So take a break. Your brain, your body and your work will thank you.’
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