Too much on your plate? If the last time you took an hour for lunch was… never, then it’s time to take action.
Gone are the days of liquid lunches and meetings over brunch. What with smart phones and emails, presentations and deadlines, it’s little wonder the traditional one-hour lunch break has dwindled into a 10-minute dash to the local shop – and that’s if you’re lucky.
But the lunch break is there for a reason.
Monique Pretorius leads stress management programmes for the business training organisation, Spearhead Training. She says, ‘We’re not machines; we need breaks at work. If you keep pushing, sooner or later something will break. When we’re stressed our adrenal glands release the stress hormone cortisol. An element of stress is helpful as we thrive on adrenaline, but when we’re constantly stressed these glands empty which makes us forgetful, emotional and prone to addictive behaviours such as drinking coffee or over-exercising.
‘Breaks help us refocus, replenish and re-energise. They’re refreshing and they calm us down so we can see other points of view – which is why it’s better to reply to a frustrating email after lunch. Stepping away from your desk also boosts circulation; it gets oxygen-filled blood pumping around the body.’
That’s all very well, but when you have a work crisis, it’s not always easy to step outside for a jaunt around the local park – especially when colleagues are busy tapping at their keyboards.
‘You needn’t take a whole hour to reap the benefits of a lunch break,’ says Monique. ‘Take “power breaks” – a few shorter breaks – instead. A 30-minute lunch break followed by 15 minutes in the afternoon when energy slumps is ideal; then you can reward yourself with an hour when you’ve ticked everything off your to-do list. But everyone’s different. If you’re a morning person, an afternoon break might work best; night owls get a second wind in the afternoon, so should take a break earlier.’
Try telling that to your workaholic boss, though. ‘No one likes a clock-watcher, so you need to be flexible,’ says Monique. ‘You might need to sell the idea to your boss. Say, “I can give you 100 per cent at 2pm.” Learn to delegate, as there’s only so much you can do in a day, and manage your time so you can negotiate free time without feeling guilty. Don’t ask, tell. Say, “I’ll prioritise that straight after lunch.” That should break the ice if you need to sell the idea.’
Once you’ve established a break, bear in mind that free time is as much about relaxing as it is about re-fueling. So what should you do during it?
‘A break from your desk is as important as a break from work, so avoid spending it surfing the net,’ says Monique. ‘If you want to check Facebook or your online bank account, go to a cafe with Wi-Fi, as a physical shift is also a mental shift. A new location such as a mall helps you break routine and gives you something to look forward to. Use the time to call home, meditate in a park or window shop – anything that’s a reward for you.’
A daily siesta might be pushing it, but you can still make the most of your lunch break – even if you work on an industrial estate in Mussafah. Stuck for ideas? That’s why we’ve spoken to local experts to discover the most inspired things to do to make the most of your golden hour.
Mussafah and around
Karen Hart, a gallery director, says, ‘I spend most lunches in the cafe in Art Hub between 16th and 7th Streets, and The Living Room seating area outside it. Dalma Mall is nearby, and it has a Topshop, Marks & Spencer, Boots and Fitness First. At Harley-Davidson on 10th Street, you can sit on a Fat Boy, rev the throttle, shift gears and hear the engine roar, or take bikes for test drives. I like to eat at the Arabic tent restaurant, L’arabia, which offers shisha. It’s in hotel apartments with the same name, which also has an internet cafe and Azela salon, where you can have express mani-pedis. Next door is Aziz men’s salon, which offers quick haircuts, massages and facials.’
Yas Island
Amit Kak, a front office hotel manager, says, ‘I like to walk around Yas Plaza. As a treat I go for a relaxing, rejuvenating shoulder massage at The Spa in Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island. I sometimes grab a chilled mocktail at Yas beach, which is five minutes’ drive away or stroll Yas Marina’s promenade and play oversized chess. You could also explore East and West Parks near Ikea.’
Saadiyat Island
Marie-Charlotte Rossignol, a PR, says, ‘You could host meetings over a tailor-made business lunch at Le Deck at Monte-Carlo Beach Club, or visit the popular Manarat Al Saadiyat gallery – which is free – and watch its movie about the island’s development and plans for the future. You could also walk around The Collection within St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, check out Salwa Zeidan gallery and get your hair and nails done at Amro. I often grab lunch at the Japanese restaurant, KOI Abu Dhabi, or drop by the Beach House at Park Hyatt. If it’s hot, get an ice cream from Baskin Robbins.’
Mina Port
Noella Lubke, a hairdresser, says, ‘I love walking around Heritage Park on the Corniche opposite the fish market, and watching the boats come in. You can also exercise in the outdoor gym in Formal Park along the Corniche. Sometimes I pop into whEAT in Le Royal Méridien for an ice cream, or relax in C House Lounge Café opposite.’
Al Maryah and Reem Island
Marine Vigouroux, a communications director, says, ‘I like visiting The Galleria for a delicious banana pudding at Magnolia Bakery then walking it off along the promenade outside, or going to Rosewood Sense spa for a long-lasting Shellac manicure. You could also visit Boutik Mall on Reem Island, a five-minute drive away.’
Tourist Club
Krioni Con Estepa, a receptionist, says, ‘It takes a whole lunch break to explore each floor of Abu Dhabi Mall, and another to browse the magazines in Borders. Check out the beach at Beach Rotana next door, then the stylish design shop, Mood, and Etihad Antiques Gallery, opposite. You could also loop around the garden of Le Méridien or stroll Electra Park on Electra Street, which costs Dhs1. It’s a haven for joggers in the morning but quiet at lunchtime. You’ll find the Antique Museum between 7th Street and 9th Street. Ignore the tourist tat and browse the antiques – you’ll find nautical clocks, Buddha heads and more.’
The Corniche
Abdulaziz Al-Marri, a hotel concierge, says, ‘I like exploring by bike. You can hire one from FunRideSports opposite The Hiltonia Beach Club for Dhs30 an hour. I cycle to Coldstone Creamery at the end of 30th Street for a sweet treat, or visit Khalidiya Park. You can also soak up culture at Heritage Village on the Breakwater, or visit Book Corner on the first floor of Marina Mall to browse bestsellers for your next lunch break. When it’s too hot, look around The One furniture shop on the corner of 7th and 32nd Streets, behind Children’s Park.’
Al Bateen
Rafiq Khan, a gardener, says, ‘I like to walk around InterContinental’s marina. It’s in a beautifully green setting and has a soothing calmness – it makes it easy to forget you’re in a buzzing city. You could also visit Al Bateen wharf and go to the nearby House of Poetry till 2pm, which is a free museum on Sheikh Zayed.’
twofour54 and around
Lana Elhassan, an advertising account executive, says, ‘I buy lunch from The Social Hub, Nathalie’s behind Park Rotana or Bite Rite. It takes 45 minutes to do a circuit of Khalifa Park, which is between twofour54 and Park Rotana. Otherwise you could visit Old Airport Park, which is a two-minute drive away. Zayed Sports City is next to that, and if you work near ADNEC you could stroll Public Park off Old Airport Road. As a treat, I have a massage in The Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi.’
Break new ground
Cut out this to-do list and tick one off activity each lunchtime
•Organise a lunchtime yoga class – book Pem for Dhs250 an hour on 050 235 8455 or email pemoyga@gmail.com
•Learn a language for free through www.bbc.co.uk/languages
•Network by the water cooler – talk to someone new in your office each day
•Take the stairs to the top floor of your building
•Set up a games room at work. Jenga, anyone?
•Start a work choir/craft group/book club
•Explore your nearest museum/gallery
•Go for lunch with a new colleague
•Have an express massage
•Sign up to a nearby gym
•Walk to your nearest park
•Have a nap in a quiet room
•Give yourself a manicure
•Plan your next trip
•Work on a blog
•Run errands
•Call a friend
•Stretch
