6 reasons why you should never eat lunch at your desk

Stepping away from your desk for lunch has more benefits than you think

31 August 2023 5 minute read

Younger man sitting at desk wearing headphones eating a salad and typing on keyboard

While it might be tempting to work through lunch on a busy day, have you ever thought about why it’s best to step away from your desk? From brain fog, stress, and sore joints to digestive issues and hygiene horrors, you’ll never eat over your keyboard again.

1. Eating in the bathroom would be more hygienic

Research tells us that the on average office desks are home to more than 400 times the number of bacteria than a public toilet seat. While our awareness of cleanliness might have improved since COVID, it’s unlikely that you are disinfecting your desk, keyboard, mouse, and phone often enough to eradicate all the germs. Getting away from your desk at lunchtime will prevent food waste and bacteria building up over time.

2. Healthy digestion needs movement

If you’re too busy to leave your desk to eat, chances are you’re too busy to go for a stroll after you’ve eaten. Studies suggest that walking after eating can help stimulate the digestive system and push food through the digestive tract more efficiently. Furthermore, bloating, indigestion and even some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can all be reduced if we move after we eat.

3. Cabin-fever builds stress levels

At times work can be a stressful environment, requiring fast decisions and tight deadlines. If we don’t take the time to remove ourselves from our desks, stress hormones in the blood can build faster and last longer. Just 10 minutes a day away from our desks can help regulate our blood pressure and help keep us feeling focused and calm. There’s no better reason that to try out that new café this lunchtime.

4. Staying seated can cause aches and pains

How long can you stay in one position comfortably before you need to move? The average person will say around two hours, but we may already be feeling muscle stiffness by then, and simply ignoring it. Lunchtime is a good reminder to move our bodies and help prevent symptoms related to prolonged sitting or repetitive strain. Learn more here about how to create a pain-free desk set-up at work and home.

5. You’ll be less productive and creative

Cocooned at your desk alone, or multi-tasking over a project and a sandwich, is less likely to lead to any creative breakthrough than getting away from your desk and interacting with the outside world and other people. Leaving your desk to eat lunch and have a change of scenery will help reduce the afternoon brain fog that comes from staying stagnant all day.

6. You’re less likely to eat badly

If we don’t take the time to have a healthy, balanced meal at lunchtime, we’re much more likely to snack at our desks throughout the day. Given most snack drawers or vending machines are much more temping than the fruit bowl in reception, over time sustained poor eating habits can have major health impacts.

5 rules for eating lunch at your desk

If you really have no choice but to eat at your desk, follow these simple rules to keep it healthy and productive.

1
Disinfect your desk at least twice a week, including mouse, keyboard, and phones
2
Pack a healthy lunch from home to avoid snacking on high sugar options from the office kitchen
3
Take opportunities throughout the day to get outside in the fresh air when you can
4
Ask a colleague to have lunch with you. This can give your brain a break from work and help you refocus
5
Try to get up and move after you’ve eaten to encourage good digestion or do this five-minute neck and back stretch for an afternoon energy boost.