In the 1990s, long, luxurious lunches in restaurants were a common occurrence for many. However, in today’s increasingly high – pressure era, the concept of “lunchtime” has lost its former popularity.
These days, leaving the office to have lunch at noon is often seen as a sign of “laziness”. What was once a cherished “lunchtime” has been reduced to a hastily devoured sandwich. Research indicates that 62% of white – collar workers in the United States frequently have a casual lunch right at their workstations.
The opulent three – course lunch feasts, accompanied by wine and capped off with cocktails and cigars, which once added a touch of elegance to the working days of bankers, lawyers, and journalists, have quietly faded away. Many people feel a deep sense of regret about this decline. Now, the pleasant practice of returning to the office for a short break after a proper lunch has also become a thing of the past. Such lunch breaks are becoming increasingly scarce. For numerous white – collar workers, the only sustenance at lunchtime might be a can of sparkling water. The main reason for the decline of working lunches is the continuous decrease in reimbursement standards. Moreover, there has been a shift in the general mindset of people: company hospitality events centered around alcohol have gradually lost their allure.
But have employees veered too far from what could be considered ideal? The idea of seamless work and non – stop effort has given rise to a new trend. In the brief intervals between typing on the keyboard, people hurriedly consume a few bites of sushi or a baguette filled with ham and cheese. The prevalence of working from home has further entrenched this phenomenon. Studies show that employees working remotely don’t even pause their work at noon.
Quickly shoveling down a few mouthfuls of food while hunched over a laptop not only results in a table covered in breadcrumbs and a sticky keyboard. There are far more serious drawbacks. Eating lunch at the workstation means extended periods of sitting, which can trigger joint pain. Sitting for several consecutive hours can even heighten the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Additionally, when individuals are “always online”, the monotonous nature of work makes it difficult for the brain to generate fresh ideas, ultimately leading to a drop in productivity.
For thousands of years, humans have had the custom of gathering together to share food. Chatting casually with colleagues and clients over a meal can strengthen relationships and is one of the joys of work. Setting aside work and having a proper meal with colleagues can bring about other significant advantages. Research has demonstrated that firefighters who eat together exhibit a stronger sense of cooperation and higher work efficiency. A survey carried out by a hygiene products company among its North American employees revealed that those who took a regular lunch break scored higher in terms of job satisfaction.
Meanwhile, bosses can also reap the benefits of lunchtime. Narayana Murti, the founder of the Indian tech giant Infosys LTD., would seize every opportunity to have lunch with his employees in the company restaurant, even queuing up to get his food. Dining with employees and showing a down – to – earth attitude not only boosts the boss’s image in the eyes of employees but also serves as an informal means of enhancing team communication.
So, it’s time to leave your desk, take in some fresh air, purchase a salad sandwich wrap, and enjoy it with your colleagues in a public space. After a satisfying meal, resume work with renewed vigor and fully commit to completing the day’s tasks. Rediscovering the value of a proper lunchtime can bring numerous benefits, both for our physical and mental well – being and for the overall work environment.
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