Here's Why Eating At Your Desk Will Make You And Your Work Suffer

According to New York Times, 62% per cent of professionals say they typically eat lunch at their desks.

This statistic is not surprising. Eating lunch at your desk while at work is an unsaid rule. If your co-workers are writing emails and getting shit done with one hand while eating their dal-roti with the other, it's very easy to feel that you are not working enough when you grab a friend, head to the canteen and sit down and eat your lunch.

But a growing number of studies indicate that eating lunch at your desk isn't good for you or your work performance. Here are seven reasons that will totally convince you to take full advantage of your lunch break.

1. Sneaky weight gain is REAL when you eat at your desk.

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Let's get real. We can't sit and eat roti, sabzi at our desk. I can't even imagine the mess that will create. If you are someone who eats lunch at your desk then naturally you are picking up food that's can be eaten without a mess. Think sandwiches, rolls and all of that hassle-free food. This means you are consuming more calories. Now if only you weren't so lazy and actually made the effort to walk to the cafeteria, you'd be doing your gut a big favour.

2. Multitasking doesn't always translate in to productivity.

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No matter how great you think you are at the art of sipping coffee, eating a salad all the while continuing to read and write simultaneously, multitasking still isn't as effective as focussing on one thing at a time. Quality work requires deep focus that can only be attained when you are free of distractions, salads and sandwiches included.

3. You will get to know and like your co-workers more.

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Ask anyone who makes a full use of their lunch break that work-place satisfaction is way higher when you sit down to eat with your colleagues. You will like your job more and by sharing a meal you will get to know your co-workers, which is always great. The benefits of socialising are similar to those of exercise: your stress and blood pressure levels tend to decrease and usually feel happier than before you started.

4. Your creativity takes a hit.

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Eating lunch at your desk everyday can become really boring thereby depriving you of creativity and new ideas. Getting out every once in a while can give you the time you need to work through tough problems that come up. Also when you get out there, even if it's for an hour at lunch, you will interact with different people and who knows you might find inspiration or unique ideas that will help you to kill it at work.

5. Sore joints are painful.

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Staying seated longer while staring at your computer screen can lead to tension in your muscles and sore joints. Sitting for long periods of time also weakens your hip and core muscles, which can cause problems elsewhere in your body.

6. Neverending stress.

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Work can be mad stressful, but eating lunch at your desk can make the whole ordeal frustrating. If you don¡¯t take the time to shut off, you never take the time to recover, leading to higher levels of burnout and fatigue. That's why its recommended to take out time to relax. This will enhance your productivity. So pick up your lunch and head outside for a short break.

7. The brain needs time to reboot.

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Taking breaks is the secret to managing your time. Physical movement and new visual stimulation allows your brain the chance to reboot, meaning by the time you get back to your desk, you'll be a better employee with a fresher perspective. Making you better at what you do.

Go on that lunch break. Even your boss knows you deserve it.