When was the last time you took a lunch break? Not a limp salad while you scanned your emails, but actually left the office for a full 60 minutes with a meal you didn’t grab mindlessly from a shelf. Chances are, it’s been too long.

In fact, research from Lipton Ice Tea found that only 18% of Brits regularly eat lunch away from their desk, while 60% skip their lunch break entirely at least twice a week. Considering taking a proper break has been proven to boost your overall well being, it’s worth shaking up your habits.

What are the benefits of taking a lunch break?

A 60-minute sabbatical won’t just cure your stomach grumbles. In fact, a proper lunch break has a whole host of benefits.

Firstly, taking time to eat lunch has been proven to positively shift your outlook for the rest of the day, releasing mood-boosting chemicals like serotonin. Stepping away from your computer can also stimulate your creativity and problem-solving skills.

Not only that, it’s been proven that people feel more productive after taking a dedicated lunch break. It’s all down to the fact that your brain has time to rest and recharge – rest hard, work hard.

And if all of that weren’t enough, a lunch hour gives you the chance to relax during a demanding day of deadlines, as well as to connect with colleagues outside of the office.

Hungry? Rachel Ama, plant-based chef and the author of One Pot: Three Ways and Rachel Ama’s Vegan Eats, has teamed up with Lipton Ice Tea to help make your lunchtimes work for you. Here are her top tips:

Ditch the al desko – 5 ways to make the most out of your lunch break