Grab a Lunch Date

With many businesses returning back to at least a few (or all) days in the office, one thing holds true: lunch out of the office can feel like a mini vacation away from spreadsheets and conference calls.

The magical lunch hour is not something that should be taken for granted. Psychologists and social workers have claimed that employees are more productive, happier, and focused when they return back to work after having a break outside of the office for one hour. In a recent article in Time Magazine, Lynn Zakeri, a licensed social worker in Illinois claims that “people are listening to their mental health more and taking intentional breaks,” —and walking or driving out for lunch presents the perfect opportunity to decompress. Research suggests it’s a smart idea: In one study, people who took a lap around a nearby park during their lunch break were able to concentrate better in the afternoon and had lower levels of strain and fatigue than those who stayed at their desks.

Dining out gives team members something exciting to look forward to in a day that can feel overwhelming with back to back meetings and multiple project timelines. What better way to encourage and uplift your team and colleagues than by asking them to lunch.