In Support of a Late Lunch

The daily grind is hard work, and for many of us, while we enjoy the people that we work with, and find our work sometimes stimulating, we'd mostly rather be doing something else. Don't get me wrong - I like my job. I'm pretty good at it, and it gives me something to do, in addition to those lovely paychecks they keep handing me, week after week. That said, those paychecks are the main reason I keep coming back. If it weren't for those, I'd likely find something else to do with my time. I imagine you feel much the same about what you do. Some days, the day flies past, and the work keeps you humming right through your shift. Other days, there's a lot of downtime, but you manage to use the time effectively and either get ahead of the game, or focus on some personal projects. The third scenario, though, is awful. On these days, the workday drags by, hour after hour, and it's really difficult to get through the day. Noon rolls around, and you jump up with glee, practically fleeing from the office to take your lunch break. When you return, though, there's still a four or five-hour stretch to get through, and that's pretty tough. Next time time's dragging, use my advice, and stay in your seat when noon arrives.

Most people find that their energy levels drop in the mid-afternoon. Coffee, low-carb, high-protein lunches, and occasional stretching breaks can help, but as humans, we're hard-wired for the afternoon slump, and there's little you can do to combat it completely. Some cultures take afternoon breaks, three-hour lunches, and even naps to account for this tendency. In the U.S., though, we don't have these options, and on days that are already turning out to be low-energy, like when it's raining, or you're especially tired, the combined effect of your energy level and the afternoon slump can practically send you into a coma.

From now on, on low-energy days, harness that natural morning spike in energy, and stay at your desk for an extra hour or two before taking your lunch. Have a piece of fruit of an energy bar, and muscle through until one or two in the afternoon. Then, when you get back from lunch, there are only a couple of hours left before you can go home. This time will pass faster, and be more productive if you push your lunch break back. Remember, no matter how much you love your job, there are days that will drag. Taking a late lunch can help to keep those days to a minimum, and can help you to maintain a positive attitude toward your work.