When I was finishing my massage therapy education, I worked at a manufacturing company. My days were spent in a cubicle under fluorescent lights, staring at a computer screen with no windows in sight. To escape, I always left for lunch, usually heading to a nearby park. I hated being stuck indoors all day.
My coworkers would regularly take extra 10-minute breaks outside to smoke cigarettes. At first, this felt unfair—I didn’t smoke, and in my previous retail job everyone had the same scheduled breaks. But the supervisor smoked too, so she allowed it. Eventually, I decided to take breaks as well, only I didn’t want to stand around in a cloud of smoke. Instead, I found a quiet spot in a field behind the warehouse. I would sit, breathe, and watch the clouds until it was time to return.
Those ten-minute breaks in nature made a surprising difference. They helped me clear my mind, reduce stress, and return to work refreshed.
What do you do on your lunch break?
I highly recommend weaving little moments of nature into your day. If stepping outside isn’t an option, you can still bring nature in: add a plant to your desk, a small water feature, or a framed photo of your favorite mountain view or ocean sunrise. Even changing your screensaver can give your mind a mini escape.
