We are all sometimes tempted to eat in the same environment where we work. It seems like the perfect solution and a harmless situation, but it's not. The effects of eating at the desk are negative. There are several main reasons why you should avoid this habit, here are three of them:
1. Miss valuable opportunities
For most, lunchtime is not only a time to eat, but also a time to regroup and remember that work is only one aspect of our lives.
Eating in a restaurant or kitchen with other colleagues gives you the opportunity to get away from your thoughts and talk to other people.
This provides the opportunity to build connections and collaborations with colleagues. And while many introverts might think, "Hmm, I'd rather be alone because I'm tired of having conversations with strangers," regular conversations with colleagues will help you build relationships that will make work more enjoyable for you in the future. Little but certain, you will have at least one colleague who will become your friend – and we all love friends. Don't deny it!
2. Create bad habits
Eating often at your desk can be a sign of stress or poor communication skills. Whatever the case, both must be overcome. If you're stressed all the time, it's even more important to leave your workplace to eat your lunch, even if it's just for 15 minutes.
Again, eating away from the office is not for others. It's for you. Getting away from your workload allows you to clear your mind. If you insist on eating alone, you may eat at an earlier or later time than the rest of your colleagues.
Thus, you gain the opportunity to get away from your burden and enjoy your company. But don't do this too often, otherwise you'll give the impression that you don't like being around others and they won't feel comfortable being around you.
3. Give a negative example
If you are the manager of a team, this may be the most important reason not to eat at work. Your behavior, without realizing it, creates a culture that others emulate. Eating at your desk signals your team members to also eat where they work. Lead by example and show others how to manage stress in a calm and healthy way by doing it yourself.
So the bottom line: Just don't, don't eat in the office! Of course, it can happen sometimes.
But on those days when you convince yourself that you need to eat at work, make an effort to spend 10 minutes away from the workplace later in the afternoon. Take a walk around, chat with your colleagues, see how their day is going, or go outside and get some fresh air.
All of these may seem like small initiatives with no impact, but as we've often heard: Sometimes it's the little things that have the biggest impact!
