Sorry, Kemi, but lunch breaks are proven to be incredibly important
Kemi Badenoch doesn't believe in the humble lunch break.
The Conservative leader sparked a flurry of discourse after her recent interview with The Spectator, where she claimed that taking time to eat your midday meal was “for wimps”.
Instead, the 44-year-old is an advocate for lunch ‘al-desko’ – that is, having food while continuing to work.
“What’s decompressing, what’s that?” she said.
While Badenoch’s comments (whether meant in a jocular fashion or not) have stirred up yet more debate within Westminster circles, she is not an outlier when it comes to skipping breaks at work. An increasing number of workers are forgoing lunch; a 2023 survey from the corporate catering company ezCater found that 48% of respondents skip lunch at least once a week – while 40% are more likely to skip breaks now than they would have done last year. It’s a far cry from previous decades, where long boozy lunches bonding with colleagues and clients reigned supreme.
But whether it’s taking an hour out from the office to have some food (be it steak or Badenoch’s detested soggy sandwich), or a brief break to recharge your mind, having time out from work is not only beneficial to the workplace, but vital.
“Breaks are vital because they help reset the body and mind,” the psychiatrist Dr. Sham Singh explains to Harper’s Bazaar. “Doing continuous work without taking time off may result in mental fatigue, a loss of focus and, at times, complete burnout.
“Stepping away from a task gives your brain time to process information, heighten cognitive function, and reduce stress levels. It is not just about eating, but also about taking that much-needed time for oneself away from work mode, and tuning into your physical and mental needs.”
Burnout is a particularly prescient problem in today’s working environment. A study by the mental health support company Spill found that at least 79% of UK employees experience burnout, with 35% reporting high or extreme levels. “Lunch breaks significantly help contribute to wellbeing because they help lower stress and increase mental clarity,” Dr Singh continues. “It has been proven that frequent breaks improve mood and reduce anxiety; even physical issues like muscle tension and headaches can be avoided this way.
“This time used to feed your body and rest will definitely help in emotional regulation and resilience, making it easier to tackle challenges arising anytime during the day. These breaks also remind us to take care of ourselves, which is an integral part of maintaining good long-term mental health.”
While the mental-health benefits are of course good enough reason alone, taking lunch away from computer screens can also boost productivity. In a survey by the communication app Slack, people who have regular breaks reported 13% higher productivity than those who don’t. Meanwhile, the previously mentioned ezCater survey found that taking lunch breaks correlated with improved job performance.
“We shouldn’t underestimate the power of a break – they allow our brains to digest and process information, to reach informed conclusions and to make better decisions,” says the career coach Ayesha Murray, who specialises in helping working parents. “Some of our best creative thinking happens in the midst of a break, not immersed in the task at hand.”
Of course, when the working day is stacked with meetings, assignments and urgent emails, taking time away for food can seem like an impossible indulgence. However, Murray explains that there is a way to prioritise and juggle the workday to ensure you still get your lunch without letting things slide.
“Firstly, prioritise projects and tasks by using a tool like the Eisenhower Matrix [a grid that allows users to list tasks in order of urgency and importance]. Then think about time-chunking your day based on those priorities,” she says. “Reflect weekly on what’s going well and what needs adjusting for the following week. Did you focus on the right things? Do you need to ask for more support? Did you manage to stick to the breaks you allocated time for?”
Murray adds that perhaps we should welcome the return of the business lunch, where we can reconnect with clients while being away from our desks. “It’s an opportunity to connect while still getting tasks done and giving yourself a screen break,” she reasons.
The Leader of the Opposition may turn her nose up at lunch breaks, but really, those in positions of power should be leading by example and demonstrating just how beneficial time away from the desk can be. “Lunch breaks aren’t just about you, they’re about setting the right tone for workplace culture,” Lucy Kemp, a future of work expert and employee experience consultant, explains. “If we normalise skipping breaks, we’re creating environments where rest and balance aren’t valued.
“But if we take the time to pause, it sends a message that wellbeing matters, and that benefits everyone.
“So, take the break. Your brain, your body, and your work will thank you.”
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