How Active Lunch Breaks Can Slash Workplace Stress

When it comes to fostering healthy habits and managing stress, embracing lunch break fitness can be key, according to personal trainers.

Posted on

22 May 2019

| Last updated on 23 May 2019

Active Lunch Breaks to Slash Workplace Stress

All Credits: PA

From millennials and tech moguls, to charity chiefs and medical staff, it seems no one’s immune to workplace stress.

But just because being frazzled and overwhelmed has become ‘the norm’, doesn’t mean we can’t do anything about it.

Every situation is different and if workplace wellbeing is seriously off kilter, then it might be time for a good chat with your GP, line manager and HR department. A lot of the time though, looking at what we’re doing to help manage stress in our own lives can make a world of difference – and little and often is key, which is why turning your lunch break into ‘active time’ can be transformative.

“Exercise is a great way to improve wellbeing, make you feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive. It’s also powerful medicine for many mental health challenges,” says Jack Mousley, co-founder and personal trainer at Onyx (onyxlondon.co.uk), who have teamed up with Red Bull on their Active When On Lunch (AWOL) campaign.

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This is your time to get away from that busy office #RedBullAWOL @MathewLCarter #AWOL #RedBullActiveWhenOnLunch #Lunch #LunchBreak #Workout #Fitness #Training #RedBull #GivesYouWings

A post shared by Red Bull UK (@redbulluk) on May 13, 2019 at 2:05am PDT

He acknowledges it can be “doubly difficult to take that step” when we’re already feeling depressed, anxious or stressed though, and adds: “Remember, it’s OK to start small and grow. When you feel like you’ve got the world on your shoulders and haven’t exercised for a long time, setting extravagant goals such as running the marathon or training every day will only leave you feeling disheartened if you fall short.”

Instead, remove the pressure and start with that ‘little and often’ aim. By utilising your lunch break, you can avoid falling into the ‘I don’t have time’ trap, as it won’t be eating into family time. And don’t be fooled into thinking skipping breaks makes you a better worker – often the opposite is true and productivity dips if we don’t take decent breaks and prioritise our wellbeing.

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All you need is a bench for a proper lunch-time workout #RedBullAWOL @LauraBiceps #AWOL #RedBullActiveWhenOnLunch #Lunch #LunchBreak #Workout #Fitness #Training #RedBull #GivesYouWings

A post shared by Red Bull UK (@redbulluk) on May 20, 2019 at 3:42am PDT

“Having an active lifestyle and a healthy mind can lead to a lot of benefits in the work environment. When you’re stressed in that meeting or trying to hit that deadline, you may find your muscles tense and discomfort elsewhere.

“Exercising can help combat this by relaxing the muscles and relieving tension in the body, as well as releasing endorphins into the brain,” adds Mousley. “The mind and body are closely linked, so if you improve one the other can feel better too.

“When you get that panic running through your body about making a mistake, getting up to move and control your breathing can help. Exercise is an amazing natural antidepressant too, helping promote changes in the brain, to encourage feelings of wellbeing and calm. All this can increase confidence in the workplace. It can give you that feeling of self-belief and allow you to take control of your day.”

6 top tips for getting started

Want to be a bit more AWOL? Fellow Onyx co-founder and trainer Craig Earl, shares these top tips…

1. Join a gym that is close to work

My biggest tip for this is to go into the gym with a plan. The chances are you will only have 30-45 minutes to squeeze in a workout during lunch, so you don’t want to be wasting time thinking about what you’re going to do. Focus on using free weights or body weight rather than seated machines, as there’s plenty of time to sit down during work.

Team up with colleagues for lunch break jogs

2. Run

If you’re not a fan of the local gym, then get your trainers on and go for a run. Aim for at least 30 minutes, even if it’s a blend of walking and running.

3. Body weight exercises

Think lunges, push-ups, mountain climbers, squat jumps and burpees. You don’t need too much space to perform these movements, and they are a great way to improve your strength, mobility and coordination.

4. Skipping

A skipping rope fits easily into a bag or pocket. Skipping is a great full-body workout and a great way to improve fitness and muscle tone. It’s also less jolting on the knees than running, making it perfect for all fitness levels.

5. Do a fitness class

Lots of gyms or studios have lunchtime express classes. They are normally 20-30 minutes long, making them perfect for those looking to get active when on lunch. If you can, try to get a mix of strength, cardio and mobility/flexibility-based classes across the week.

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. We are all striving for different things in life, physical, personal or professional to name a few. All of which require elements of change, focus, discipline and self assessment. What’s key to success is you let go of trying to be perfect with your actions and instead look for improvements. . Striving for perfection can leave you disappointed leading you to question the path your on. Focusing instead on your progress will reassure you that what your doing is working, leaving you with a positive outlook. And remember big or small progress is still progress. . . . #coachcraig #positivevibesonly

A post shared by Craig Earl (@coach_craigearl) on Mar 27, 2018 at 9:38am PDT

6. Go for a walk

I think we’ve almost forgotten that being active doesn’t always mean you have to go to the gym or for a run. Work can be a stressful environment, so get out for a walk, put your headphones on and listen to your favourite podcast or album. Look to go for at least 30 minutes. Physically and mentally, your body will thank you for this.

For more info about Red Bull’s Active When On Lunch (AWOL) campaign, plus lots of workout tips and videos, visit cartoons.redbull.com/gb-en/active-when-on-lunch.

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