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MCC Daily Tribune

National Take Back the Lunch Break Day

If you’re someone who skips their lunch break or eats at their desk, this one’s for you; come celebrate National Take Back the Lunch Break Day with us. Held on the third Friday in June each year, this event encourages workers all over America to step up to the plate — lunch plate that is, and take a regular and longer lunch break. Why is there a day like this? It’s because multiple research studies showed a trend of lesser and more infrequent lunch breaks across employees in America, resulting in lower employee morale and well-being. This day was set up as a reminder of the importance of the benefits of lunch breaks.

HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL TAKE BACK THE LUNCH BREAK DAY

  1. Get creative for lunch
    Want to enjoy your lunch break? Get a little anticipation going by packing something fun and delicious in your lunch box. Make something that requires as little prep and cook time as possible. Try out fast recipes that are all over the internet, and even create a week's worth of meals to save time. Make something you love, so you will actually want to step away from your desk to focus on your lunch. You can even make a game of it by trying to find a new place to eat every week.

  2. Eat your lunch
    Set a reminder for yourself to eat lunch at a particular time every day. This habit, combined with the delicious lunch you have planned, helps you break the cycle of skipping lunch or eating in front of the computer.

  3. Make it a group event
    Enjoy some time with colleagues and friends; go for group lunches with people around you. You can even invite loved ones over for a quick lunch date at a park or a restaurant. You can also get some team bonding in by scheduling team lunches and events during lunchtime. Choose your preferred group event, then go outside to eat your lunch away from the desk.

FUN FACTS ABOUT NATIONAL TAKE BACK THE LUNCH BREAK DAY

  1. It makes or breaks the job search.
    88% of North American workers reported having the ability to take a lunch break is important while considering a new job.

  2. Mentality matters
    88% of bosses encourage their employees can take a lunch break, but only 62% actually feel encouraged to do so.

  3. The perception about lunch breaks
    22% of North American bosses assume employees who take lunch breaks are less hardworking.

  4. What coworkers think
    13% of North Americans think their coworkers will judge them negatively if they take regular lunch breaks.

  5. We want lunch breaks
    58% — a majority of participants surveyed across North America — want to take longer and more regular lunch breaks.

WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL TAKE BACK THE LUNCH BREAK DAY

  1. It reminds us to take a breather
    National Take Back the Lunch Break Day serves as a good reminder to us all to take advantage of those brief moments and do something other than work. Quick breaks can be used to get some reading in, take a quick walk, enjoy the fresh air, or even go for a run. We love the mini-break and hope more people take this chance to enjoy their lunch breaks.

  2. Enjoy our food
    Traditionally, lunch was always the filler meal. Nowadays, most of us who have busy bee schedules barely manage to pack a home-cooked meal, often relying on cafeteria fare or fast food to tide us through the day. To us, taking back our lunch breaks also allows us to savor the food we consume in the middle of our workday. We like to think of lunch as more than simple fuel, but a feast that finishes up our mornings and leads us into the evening.

  3. Good for mental health
    Very few employees report taking lunch breaks, but most who do report that they feel refreshed and more energized to continue work. And yet, we have employees eating their lunch at their desk, or going no further than the office kitchen or canteen. National Take Back the Lunch Break Day pushes us to make this change and take back our lunch break, which helps us not only deliver high performance but ensures we are keeping our bodies healthy and that we are getting enough of a break from the screen.

National Take Back the Lunch Break Day - National Today

Sarah Benedict
MCC Wellness Council
06/16/2023