Copyright huffingtonpost
It feels like we went from 9pm sunsets to a black sky at half bloomin’ four in a matter of seconds. And with increasing darkness comes the onset of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and vitamin D deficiencies for some. That’s not to mention potentially dysregulated sleep and decreased physical activity, either. So perhaps it’s no wonder that Brenig Moore, health and safety and technical officer at Astutis, told HuffPost UK: “Lunch breaks matter all year round, but more so over the darker seasons of autumn and winter”. In fact, Moore said, a 15-minute change to your lunch break could be considered a “basic safety requirement”. You should go for a walk on your lunch break in winter Sunlight during winter is scarce, which can deplete your stores of vitamin D and even disrupt your sleep. But it will likely be too dark to get enough of that sweet sunlight on the other side of your work day. So, the Royal Osteoporosis Society’s advice – “to let the sun shine on your face or arms for about 10 minutes between 11am and 3pm” – might be best achieved for many on their lunch break. “It is a basic safety requirement to get out and take a small walk for at least ten minutes to boost your alertness, mood and energy,” Moore revealed. He added, “Short days mean your body’s natural wake/sleep cycle is disrupted. Even just fifteen minutes outdoors can help you avoid that mid-afternoon slump that leads to mistakes, stress and burnout.” Even your joints struggle in the colder, more sedentary months, he continued. “Cold weather tightens muscles and joints, and what’s going to make that even worse is sitting in the same office chair all day... Moving at midday resets posture and reduces aches that lead to long-term issues.” It may be especially useful in times of high pressure, the health expert stated: “Winter workloads spike, but powering through kills efficiency... The people who pace themselves work smarter, not longer. A 30-minute break can save hours of tired mistakes.” What are the other benefits of taking a walking break this winter? “You may find your mood to be a lot lower in winter than it is in summer, and this isn’t uncommon,” Moore said. “A break in natural light helps keep serotonin levels stable, and stops stress building up and overwhelming you.” Not enough motivation? “Constant screen time drains the brain. Stepping away at lunch resets concentration and judgement, which will lower the risk of accidents happening both at work and at home,” the expert ended. “By going out and resetting your brain, you’re less likely to come back to the office or your laptop and make any mistakes. Some accidents may just be something as simple as not including an attachment in an email, but some accidents may be something that could cause injuries for you or others in the workplace.” BRB, just putting my trainers on...
