When I worked in Corporate World, my office was downtown and I loved working in the city. It was great to meet people for lunch at cool spots, go to the Rally in the Alley on Friday nights and just do the city thing. (I recall one time my pal Lynda and I met for lunch and stayed all day till happy hour! Oops.)
I was lucky and found a small park near a church where I would retreat on a break or lunch. It was the best place to unwind for a few. But this was many years ago when people actually took real lunch breaks and your dedication to the job wasn’t questioned if you left the office for a quick breather. What happened to the lunch crowd?
Lunch Bunch
Most people now grab a bite at their desks or a break room. To me, that’s not getting away from the job. I bet if you leave your desk, you take your phone and check it repeatedly or text. Am I wrong? But have you tried going out to lunch recently? It’s almost impossible to get in and out of a restaurant in an hour, especially during 11:30 and 1:00. There’s nothing stress-busting about checking the time and getting increasingly anxious about getting back to work on time.
Maybe you eat at your desk and then take a walk to get out of the office. But is that relaxing? It might be if you could find a park like I visited back in the day. Walking down a busy city street probably won’t lower your blood pressure. Grabbing a coffee at a shop just ups your adrenaline level. Do you go for a quick workout at the company’s fitness center? Who does that? Maybe guys do. Most women I know wouldn’t opt for a shower before heading back to work. It’s a hair thing.
Find a Serene Spot
Try finding some spot near your work area that offers a little serenity. Looking at nature and not hustling people will make a huge difference. This WSJ article cites research that supports the nature vs. busy city street argument. Make a point of taking that break a couple times a week at least. Meet a friend there, but don’t tell anyone at the office, they might follow you…
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