The lunch break mistake killing your productivity

Does your lunch break look like this?

👉🏻 One hand shoveling food into your mouth.
The other hand navigating Slack, emails, and Instagram. 👈🏻

You tell yourself:

💭 I need to get sh*t done.
💭 I want to maximize efficiency.
💭 I have no time to waste.

You’re not alone.

Modern workers have normalized "productivity at all costs."

But here’s the problem:

You’re actually making it harder to perform at your best after lunch.

Which means, you’re:

❌ not getting as much sh*t done
❌ lowering efficiency
❌ wasting time

For many employers, genuine breaks feel like an indulgence rather than a necessity.

And that’s why,

My Experience

When I truly step away for lunch, I return with more focus, energy, and creativity.

My afternoon shift skyrockets in both quality and efficiency.

[Some of my lunch breaks last up to 2.5 hours 🥗 🥩 🏋🏻 🧘🏻‍♂️]

But…

I realize I'm lucky to create my own schedule.

You might be limited to just 20 or 30-minutes.

If that’s the case, making it truly ‘screen-free’ becomes even more important.

Here’s What You Should Do

Define your rules.

Everyone’s work setup is different, so find what works for you. Some ideas:

📍 Work from home? Eat in a different room. No phone. No computer. Then, take a short walk outside or practice NSDR 👇🏻

📍 Work in an office? Invite a colleague to lunch away from screens—at a park, a café, or canteen (anywhere tech-free). Leave your phones behind.

The options are endless. The key is to start.

Start Small

For just 20 minutes a day, step away from your screen while eating.

🚫 No emails.
🚫 No notifications.
🚫 No “quick checks.”

Why It Works

✅ Boosts digestion: Eating slowly and mindfully aids digestion.
✅ Improves mood: Less screen overload = more mental clarity and calm.
✅ Enhances focus: A real break helps you return sharper and more productive.
✅ Reduces stress: Without constant input, your nervous system can actually reset.

Challenge

Every workday this week, take a 20-minute screen-free lunch break.

You might be surprised at how much better you feel and how much sharper you are afterward.

See you next Sunday,
George