Europe Does Lunch Right, and Why...

For most, lunch in the workweek can be anything but a moment of peace. The pressure of getting back before your break is over, the traffic if you are picking up a bite, and still having your thoughts on the topic of work can make the hour feel over as soon as it starts.

But even when we are on our own time, not under a time restriction to eat and get back to being productive, it can be easy to treat lunches and other moments to ourselves the same way that we do during our workweek. But breaking this pattern can actually slow you down.

Looking across the pond, it is common practice to take longer lunches in Europe. While there are different reasons in different regions, the gist is the same: a slow and intentional meal. Without the rush or stress of a time restriction, Europeans take time to slow down around meals, which not only benefits their work-life balance but also their bodies.

Slower eating equals better digestion. It also makes you feel fuller faster and produces less bloating, in turn making you feel better after a meal. Eating slower also ensures you are not eating more than you need to, assisting in any physical goals you may have. It also assists in lowering stress levels and managing blood sugar. All in all, slowing down at the table will only benefit you later.

While it may be difficult to experience this during the workday, dinner or a lunch out on the weekend will suffice. Although it does not give the same experience, even just eating slower on your lunch break can make you feel better for the rest of your workday.

When you can, take a long lunch. Invite a friend or go with family. Take smaller bites, set down your silverware between bites, chew for longer, sip your beverage, and allow your mind to focus on the moment in front of you. After your meal, take a stroll, grab a sweet treat, or simply find a place to sit for a moment. It sounds so simple, and it is, but it truly slows our minds and our lives down for a bit, leaving us more fulfilled and rested.

You do not have to be in Europe to take a lunch, or any meal, like a European, but the small change in how you approach a meal makes all the difference in how you feel after.