Many professionals work through lunch — eat at desk, continue working. The pattern damages afternoon productivity, health, and engagement. Genuine lunch breaks (walk, eating away from screen, brief social) improve afternoon output measurably.
What works
30-60 minutes away from desk and screen. Walk if weather permits. Eat with one or two colleagues sometimes. Read non-work material. Whatever genuinely changes mental state.
Most professionals who shift to real lunch breaks find afternoon productivity rises enough to more than recover the time. The 'productive' eat-at-desk pattern is usually less productive than it feels.