I know how easy it is to want to be as 'productive' as possible by quickly grabbing lunch and rushing back to your desk.
In France, there's actually a labour law that prohibits employees from eating lunch at their desks. While it was relaxed during the pandemic, the principle behind it is powerful: the French understand that how you eat matters just as much as what you eat.
Research shows that desk lunching negatively impacts both physical and psychological well-being. When we eat while distracted — scrolling emails, finishing reports — our body doesn't properly register the meal. We eat faster, chew less, and our digestive system doesn't receive the signals it needs to work optimally.
Rather than boosting productivity, eating while working can harm your health and mental state. Your brain needs a break. Your digestive system needs your attention. Your creativity needs space to breathe.
Try this: for one week, step away from your desk for lunch. Sit somewhere different. Taste your food. Chew slowly. Notice the textures and flavours. See how you feel in the afternoon compared to your usual desk lunch.
Your body — and your work — will thank you.