7 ways to maximize your midday break

Your lunch hour offers the perfect time for a much-needed break. Rather than spending the time stressing over what you still need to accomplish, consider the following advice.

• If you work in an office or a retail establishment, you're likely to be stuck in the same building all day long.
• Now's your chance to escape. Soak up the sun, watch the rain or feel the wind.
• Breathe some real air and disconnect for a moment from the job.
• At least once every day you should make the time to step outside, even if just for two minutes. It will recharge your body and mind.

• Then eat, run errands or return to work.
• Creative daydreaming is not only a way to get out of the daily lunch-hour grind, but it's also a way to put your creative juices to work.
• If you're feeling particularly stressed about a project, spend your quarter of an hour exploring ways you can tackle it.
• If you feel mentally stale and burned out, spend the 15 minutes in la-la land, on a mini vacation. Imagine yourself strolling along the beach, climbing a mountain or generally spending time in a location that makes you happy.

• Studies increasingly show the value of short naps during the day, and progressive employers are becoming more lenient about them.
• So if you can, curl up under your desk, nod off in your car (unless you're driving!) or otherwise arrange yourself in your office chair so you can snooze without anyone noticing.
• Your nap will refresh your mind and put a whole new perspective on the afternoon because it breaks the tension of the day.

• No matter how pressing that big project is, physically remove yourself from your office for at least 15 minutes.
• Walk the corridors, chat with a friend or, as mentioned before, go outside.
• The time away from the desk will refresh your mind, allowing you to return to work more invigorated.

• If you must eat out, walk to your destination.
• You'll burn some extra calories and refresh your mind at the same time.
• The short walk may also give you the will-power you need to order more healthily.

• If you need to run errands during your lunch break, get in some exercise at the same time.
• If possible, power walk to the bank, shops or post office.
• The exercise will help to refresh your mind and reduce the stress of the day.

• Eat with other colleagues who are interested in weight control, health and nutrition.
• Share foods for taste-testing, exchange tips and recipes and once a week ask each member to bring in one healthy contribution to the meal.