Before canceling anything else, take back your right to a lunch break. American culture has effectively canceled the lunch break. The lunch hour has become a hurried gobble of a quick sandwich while working.

Research conducted by Right Management shows only one in five people steps away for a midday meal. The average worker takes less than twenty minutes away from their desk for lunch. Many never leave their desk at all, or get pulled into a lunch meeting, or eat while catching up on email or hurrying to complete a task.

A lunch break is not only important from a nutrition standpoint to maintain stable blood sugar levels and renew energy, but it also gives your brain a chance to recuperate.

When I started my own company, I made sure people knew they could disengage for lunch. I would have lunches provided a few times a week to encourage everyone to come together, take a little break, and interact.

The connections that can happen during lunch are fundamental for joy overall. Because people are not machines. Nourishing our bodies and interacting with the people we’re accomplishing tasks with is vital to our long-term success.

We need rest, we need connection, and we all need a good lunch.

Photography by: Vanessa Loring