3 Common Excuses to Scheduling Work Breaks, Their Impact on Stress Eating, and How to Overcome

How has your lunchbreak routine and mindset changed since shifting to remote work? Do you feel comfortable walking away from your computer to completely decompress for 30 minutes to an hour? Are you anxious and overwhelmed because your company is short staffed and the extra work is piling up on your desk, so you grab junk food while you push through the day?

Stress has a direct impact on daily eating habits. For emotional eaters, food is an unconscious distraction whether the stress is positive or negative. Ignoring the body’s queues risks staying in a state of sustained stress leading to negative physical and emotional health as well as on overall work effectiveness. Learning how to incorporate intermittent breaks will help fight back stress eating.

Logically, building in breaks make sense, so why is it so hard?

Here are some common personal reasons and how to make sustainable shifts:

·???????I don’t have time- When you find yourself facing the pressure of a deadline and notice that you are watching the clock, feeling distracted and the ideas aren’t flowing, this is a great time to get up and step away. By taking a minimum of 10 minutes to get up and move, you allow your brain to recharge and improve focus.

?·???????I’m in the zone- Research studies show that the brain can focus in 20–45-minute intervals before concentration significantly declines. Building in breaks increases focus and productivity, helping to improve your overall performance and reduce the effects of stress.

?·???????I feel guilty if I appear “away” for too long- Take a minute to assess whether this is a fear tied to a past personal experience or is the guilt driven by the company culture.?Oftentimes it is a limiting belief that influences behaviors. By recognizing the cause of the guilt, you give yourself permission to respond in a healthier way.

Behaviors lay the foundation to living a quality life. Learning how to optimize your habits allow you to perform at your very best. As a leader, set the tone for your team, living the values that create positive culture where everyone is encouraged to thrive.

Breaks are important. Incorporate daily time blocks and protect this time as an investment in yourself.

Living a fabulous life is a choice.

You are worth it.?