It is always sound advice to make sure to take your lunch break. Like many busy business professionals, especially in a new job position, it is easy to fall into the unhealthy habit of eating lunch at your desk, staying inside for up to 10 straight hours a day, and avoiding any breaks due to fear of lack of productivity. However, if this is the case, you’ll end up noticing an impact on your work and your overall mood.
Being in the Albany area, we have the privilege to access numerous different resources to optimize our lunch break, beyond sitting in the office with our lunch. Here are 5 creative ways to spend your lunch break close to the office.
1. Go Shopping at Crossgates Mall
Being close to one of the largest malls in the area, we are exposed to a wonder of shopping options. The mall is the perfect place to reboot your brain and get away from the office for a while. Not only will you get to relax and shop for a while, but you can stretch your legs by getting a walk in and can grab a bite to eat, all in one place. Grab a coworker if you’re looking for some company! After all, Crossgates mall is only a 9 minute drive from our Wolf Road office locations.
2. Play “Lunch Roulette”
No matter the size of the company or the position you are in, you are bound to have coworkers you’ve never had more than a 10-minute conversation with. By playing this “lunch roulette” game, you can invite a different coworker each week to lunch to get to know them a little better. This might encourage you to make a new friend, or even allow you to work together more seamlessly in the future. If you work for yourself or your own company, try inviting a client or vendor to lunch. It is always a valuable to network and make connections for the future for your business.
3. Walk the Albany Pine Bush Preserve
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve is a 3,350 acre preserve that offers a perfect place for walking, running, and biking. The trail map makes it easy to see where you can go during your limited time, and what paths will lead you to outstanding views. Going outside and getting some fresh air for a walk is a perfect way to destress and reboot for the remainder of the day. This will encourage you to relax your mind and come back fresh and productive. If you’re not quite sure where to exercise near you, go to MapMyRun.com to find walking or biking routes near your office. You can search by activity or distance, and filter the choices based on your opinion of the 3D flyover video route.
4. Try a New Restaurant
Your lunch hour is a great way to refresh your mind by disconnecting from all technology, so head to one of the new restaurants on Wolf Road. If you’re looking for a quick and healthy bite, try Core Life Eatery as it focuses on fast, clean, and healthy eating. If you want a fun, sit down restaurant, try Toro Cantina- their menu features authentic Mexican and colorful dishes. Another great option is Kuma Ani featuring a variety of Japanese food right at your fingertips. On Wolf Road, you really can’t go wrong.
5. Grab Your Favorite Book
It’s easy to bring your favorite book to work as either a hard copy or a digital copy. Taking a step back from work and relaxing with your favorite book is not only a healthy way to destress, but it’s also an easy way! Simply find a quiet spot in your office, grab your lunch, and dive into the world within your book- you won’t regret it.