20 Productive Ways to Spend Your Lunch Break

The lunch break is a sacred time during the workday to recharge refuel and take a much-needed mental break. But it can also be a great opportunity to maximize your time and knock out personal errands enjoyable activities and professional development.

Don’t let your lunch hour go to waste! Here are 20 fulfilling ways to spend that precious midday break:

Get in Some Exercise

There’s no better way to blow off steam during the workday than getting your body moving on your lunch break,

• Go for a brisk walk around your office building or nearby park. Walking boosts energy, relieves stress, and gets your blood pumping.

• Hit the gym for a quick workout Do some cardio, lift weights or take a studio class for a condensed session to keep you active.

• If your company has one, use the on-site fitness facilities. Many offices now provide small workout rooms or yoga studios for employees to utilize.

• Ride your bike for a change of pace and fresh air. Explore trails and parks within biking distance of your workplace.

Getting exercise helps you mentally recharge, while releasing feel-good endorphins to boost your mood for the rest of the day.

Enjoy a Good Meal

Of course, lunch time is for eating! Make sure to take a proper break and enjoy a nutritious midday meal.

• Instead of your desk, eat away from your workspace so you can fully detach. Dine in a lounge, courtyard or cafeteria.

• Avoid fast food and eat something balanced to power you through the afternoon. Salads, wraps, grains and lean proteins are smart options.

• Check out new restaurants near your office. Try that café, noodle shop or sandwich place you’ve been wanting to sample.

• Savor your favorite comfort foods once in awhile. Everyone needs some pizza, a burger or a decadent dessert now and then!

Replenish yourself with a satisfying meal you can look forward to each day.

Connect with Loved Ones

Use your lunch break to check in with important people in your life. Especially if you have limited time outside working hours, this midday block is perfect for meaningful connections.

• Call, text or video chat a family member or friend you haven’t caught up with lately. Set reminders to check in with your inner circle periodically.

• If your partner works remotely, meet up with them for lunch. Or invite them to eat together in the office cafeteria or lounge.

• Call your kids at school or daycare. Hearing their voices midday can lift your spirits.

• Meet a friend nearby for lunch. Catch up in-person and enjoy their company for an hour.

Strengthening your personal relationships improves your mental health. Don’t isolate yourself – stay connected to loved ones during the workday.

Run Errands and Get Things Done

Your lunch break offers a convenient window to take care of personal chores and tasks. An hour is plenty of time to squeeze in quick errands.

• Stop by the bank, post office, pharmacy or any otheruseful shops near your workplace.

• Get a haircut or nail appointment. Many salons offer express services that can fit during your lunch break.

• Handle bureaucratic obligations like renewing your license, passport or identity cards while government offices are open.

• Pick up your dry cleaning, drop shoes at the cobbler or get your car washed.

• Buy groceries, gas up your car or exchange library books.

Build “life admin” into your workday so it doesn’t carry into your personal time. Use your lunch break to run efficient errands.

Tend to Your Home

Use your lunch break to briefly pivot to home matters, especially if no one else is available to handle them midday.

• If you have pets at home, run home to walk them, clean litter boxes or dole out meds. They’ll appreciate a midday caretaker visit.

• Pick up the house and do chores like emptying trash, putting on a load of laundry or loading the dishwasher.

• Receive grocery or package deliveries that arrive during the day. This prevents theft if items are left outside your home for hours.

• Meet repair professionals at your house for estimates or work. Things like leak repairs, appliance servicing or exterminator visits can be scheduled during your lunch.

Don’t let home obligations pile up for nights and weekends. Designate your lunch break for maintaining your household.

Learn Something New

Make time for self-improvement during the workday and develop your skills on your lunch break.

• Read industry books, magazines or blogs to stay on top of workplace trends and innovations. Don’t fall behind on knowledge!

• Watch recorded lectures, seminars or professional development videos. Many companies provide access to online training.

• Visit a bookstore on your break and browse educational books related to your role. Make reading part of your daily routine.

• Take a quick online tutorial or course on new software, tools or programs that will help you work smarter.

• Tour a local museum exhibit or art installation that intrigues you. Feed your cultural knowledge.

Keep growing your capabilities for career advancement. The lunch hour is perfect for bite-sized learning.

Volunteer in the Community

If you want to give back on your break, spend your lunch hour volunteering. This can be deeply fulfilling.

• Help out at a soup kitchen or food bank, preparing and distributing meals to people in need.

• Donate your time to Habitat for Humanity, building affordable housing for underserved families.

• Visit elderly, disabled or homebound people to provide friendly visits and companionship.

• Mentor at-risk youths through community programs guiding kids towards positive choices.

• Walk rescue dogs at a shelter to give the pups much-needed activity and attention.

Even an hour makes a tangible difference. Volunteering is a rewarding way to spend your midday break.

Relax and Recharge

Don’t feel obligated to be productive every lunch hour. It’s perfectly fine to take time and relax! Here are relaxing lunch break ideas:

• Simply get away from your desk and enjoy a change of environment. Stroll outside or eat in a quiet indoor area.

• Do minimal activities like reading a magazine, finishing a crossword puzzle or playing mobile games for fun.

• Listen to music or a podcast episode while you eat to clear your mind.

• Take a power nap to rejuvenate. Find an unused conference room or lounge and catch a 15-20 minute snooze.

• Meditate or do breathing exercises to lower stress and recentre yourself before the afternoon.

• Treat yourself to a hand/foot massage using a self-massage tool you can keep at your desk.

Don’t burn yourself out! Recharge your mental batteries with relaxing and rejuvenating lunch break activities.

Leave the Office

Finally, simply get away from the office altogether on your lunch break. This midday escape does wonders to break up the day.

• Go explore new parts of your city. Eat at a café in an undiscovered neighbourhood. The change of scenery stimulates you.

• Spend time in nature and visit a nearby park, garden, lake or hiking trail. Being in fresh air and sunlight lifts your mood.

• Check out a museum, art gallery or other cultural institution on their weekday hours. Feed your soul a little.

• Go see a matinee discount movie to immerse yourself in a story and forget work. Check for theatres near your office.

• Knock out personal appointments like doctor, dentist, therapist or massage visits. Schedule them when you’re already off work.

Getting away from the workplace, even briefly, brings welcome perspective and mental space.

While lunch at your desk is certainly convenient, stepping away from the office to recharge is incredibly beneficial for your wellbeing. Spend your precious lunch breaks on fulfilling, relaxing and productive activities that enrich your workday. Don’t waste this invaluable time – use it to improve your day!