5 Reasons Why UAE Residents Should Avoid Eating Lunch at Their Work Desks
Busy office workers tend to have snacks or eat lunch at their work desks - here's why you need to let go of this habit!
12 November 2024
Eating snacks or having lunch at your work desk is extremely common, but is it good for you?
In a recent study commissioned by Lipton Ice Tea, it was found that among 2,000 office workers and students, nearly half (42%) eat their office lunch 'al-desko' style most of the week.
The reasons vary, with some workers not having a common area to eat away from their desk. Others wish to avoid interrupting a busy project and instead prefer to eat while working to remain productive. Some employees also enjoy watching videos, browsing the web, or reading at their desk to relax during their lunch breaks.
But Phil Thomson, Senior Business Development Director at Lipton Ice Tea, said, "In a world where work-life-balance is a popular topic, valuing lunch time should be part of the discussion."
"It sounds counterintuitive, but stopping work for a bit can actually lead you to getting much more done throughout the day, and help you lift your mood, feeling more energised for the rest of your day," he added.
Here are 5 reasons why we recommend skipping the habit of eating lunch at your work desk.
1. Inactivity
Humans are not meant to have a sedentary lifestyle. If you work an office job in the UAE, eating lunch at your desk promotes unhealthy inactivity.
Leaving your work space for your 1-hour lunch break can help recharge your batteries, reduce stress levels, and may even increase productivity. Consider finding an alternative place to eat outside of your office, such as a nearby park, restaurant, or café that you can walk to.
2. Lack of Socialisation
Having lunch break with coworkers while away from your desk can actually promote workplace satisfaction, happiness, health, and camaraderie.
According to a study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), employees who socialise with other colleagues may be up to 10% more productive than office workers who don't.
3. You May Struggle With Creativity
For some office workers, staying inside in the same place almost every day for hours and hours can negatively affect their creativity and thinking skills.
It's important to skip eating lunch at your desk, leave the office, and change your surroundings for even just a few moments during your day. Doing so can help refresh the body and mind.
4. Dirty Work Station
Having snacks, food, and drinks at your desk can oftentimes create a mess, from crumbs lodged inside your keyboard to accidental drink spills, which can breed bad bacteria if left uncleaned.
5. It Could Be Bothering Other People
Some food dishes, such as eggs, meats, curry, pasta, etc. carry a strong odour, and the smell might bother other colleagues.
While eating lunch at your work desk, you'll need to be aware of your surroundings as the sounds of crunching, slurping, and chewing can annoy your office mates, especially if they're on a call with clients or are in meetings.
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