It’s Lunch Time!

Colleagues alleviate stress, have fun and get fit at break time

Do you work through lunch to get caught up? You may be doing more harm than good. “Colleagues are more productive during the second half of their day if they take a lunch break,” says Mary Kay Grim, senior vice president, human resources. “That’s why we encourage colleagues to take some time for themselves. It’s not being irresponsible; it’s a necessary mental and physical break.”

Preferred Employee Assistance Program director and social worker Oliver Neith agrees. “Meditation during lunch can clear your mind,” he says. “Going for a walk or fitting in a light workout also can be beneficial, giving you more energy in the afternoon.” Here’s what colleagues are doing at lunch to beat stress, stay healthy and improve collegiality.

Exercise Equals Energy
Lehigh Valley Physician Group billing colleagues Terri Rhodes and Diane Crouthamel know lunch is the perfect time to get in shape. After eating a container of yogurt and a piece of fruit, the duo takes a two-mile walk. “If it’s cold or raining, we walk the steps of the 1249 building,” Rhodes says. “We walk three flights, 15 times.” Their lunchtime workout pays off—Crouthamel lost 10 pounds and Rhodes shed 55 pounds. “We look forward to exercising and spending time together. We’ve become very close,” Rhodes says. “It makes the afternoon go by faster because we have more energy.”

The Lunch Bunch
Ever go tailgating on a weekday at work? Quality and care management department colleagues have. “It was just one of the themes we used for our luncheons,” says clinical information analyst Krista Casey. “Everyone brought typical tailgating food like hot dogs and salsa with chips.” Once a month, about 25 colleagues decorate the lunchroom and bring food that relates to the theme. The Lunch Bunch also celebrates birthdays, shares personal photos, and uses the time to catch up on each other’s lives. “There’s a real family feel about it,” Casey says.

The Bistro Table
Hold all calls! Information services colleagues need a break from the telephone. Where do they find peace and quiet? At the Bistro Table. “Every week, one colleague volunteers to answer phones while a small group of us gets together, eats lunch and talks about what’s going on in our lives,” says systems analyst Christina Roberts. “If someone is available to handle phone calls, we spend time enjoying lunch together.”

Grub and Games
What do a sandwich, a trivia question and a funny joke have in common? They’re all found at the lunch table in LVH–Muhlenberg’s inpatient rehabilitation department. Every day for the past 20 years, colleagues take the time to get together while patients are eating lunch. “There’s only one rule: What happens in the lunchroom stays in the lunchroom,” says site coordinator Rob Clausnitzer. “We play games like paper football, share funny stories and tell jokes.” It’s one of the things physical therapist Jane Dowdle loves about the group. “After lunch, I feel so good,” she says. “The fun we have makes the second half of our day a lot easier.” Adds Clausnitzer, “It brings the staff together like a family.”

“Lettuce” Take a Break
What do you like in your salad? Colleagues on LVH–Muhlenberg’s ambulatory surgical unit know their favorite ingredients. “At a recent lunch, everyone brought a favorite ingredient to create a salad with personality,” says Karen Allwein, R.N. The group frequently has other lunches themed around the seasons. Physicians and colleagues from other units stop by to share in the fun. “Sometimes you just need a break from the stress of work, and lunch is the perfect time for it,” Allwein says. “We use this time to boost morale and improve teamwork within the department.”

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