Stroll, don’t scroll: 5 fun things to do during lunch that don’t involve your phone    

Your lunch break probably starts with the best intentions. Eat mindfully. Take a walk after. Maybe even journal. Cut to you staring off into space at your desk, hurriedly eating, scrolling through Instagram to somehow land on your best friend’s cousin’s pet’s page. Again.

We get it. Your phone is easy, comforting, and instantly distracting. But what if your lunch break could be something more? A tiny pocket of joy. Something that makes you feel like a human, not a productivity robot running on caffeine and anxiety. And no, you don’t need a Pilates class, a personality overhaul, or a digital detox to reclaim your lunch hour. Just a little intention and willingness to try something that doesn’t involve a screen.

So here are five fun, low-effort, genuinely satisfying ways to spend your lunch break that will leave you feeling proud of yourself.

Take yourself on a solo lunch date

There’s nothing more romantic than your own company. Instead of inhaling food at your desk, step out even if it’s just to the café downstairs or a quiet park bench nearby. Eat slowly. Notice flavours. Sit without rushing. This gives your brain a break from constant input. Bring a book, a magazine, or just your thoughts. You’ll be surprised how grounding it feels to simply exist without multitasking.

Do one creative thing 

You don’t need to be “artistic” to be creative. Creativity is just expression, and your lunch break is the perfect place for it. Doodle on a notepad. Write one unfiltered paragraph in your Notes app. Make a playlist. Jot down outfit ideas. Scribble poetry. Creative moments stimulate your brain differently from work or social media and often leave you feeling surprisingly energised.

Move your body

No, this isn’t a call to squeeze in a HIIT workout or feel guilty if you don’t break a sweat. This is movement for pleasure, not punishment. A 15-minute walk. Gentle stretching. Wandering a few lanes while listening to music or a podcast. Moving during lunch helps shake off the midday slump and gets your blood flowing again, especially after hours of sitting. Think of it as a soft reset, not a fitness goal.

Have a real conversation 

This one isn’t traditionally fun, but hear us out. Using your lunch break to tick off one small life task can feel wildly satisfying. Book that dentist appointment. Reply to the email you’ve been avoiding. Organise one drawer. Make a to-do list and instantly feel calmer. The key is to keep it contained: one task, not your entire life. That sense of control? Immaculate. Self-care, disguised as efficiency.

Why this matters more than you think

Your lunch break isn’t just a pause between meetings but rather a chance to check back in with yourself. When every free moment is swallowed by scrolling, your brain never truly rests. Replacing even a few lunch breaks a week with something intentional can reduce burnout, improve focus, and make your days feel less monotonous.

You don’t need to overhaul your routine or quit your phone forever. Just choose differently sometimes. Because the version of you who takes a walk, eats slowly, creates something small, or actually talks to someone? She’s calmer, more present, and far less likely to spiral at 3:47 pm.

So tomorrow, when your lunch break rolls around, put your phone down just for a bit. Your brain will thank you. And honestly? It might become the best part of your workday.

Lead image: Getty 

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