Working from home was an exciting prospect at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year, but after seven months, many are now finding remote employment to be monotonous and even a bit stressful.
The lack of a consistent schedule and the constant interruptions that often come with the territory when working from home can lead to distraction, frustration and anxiety. One way to maintain motivation and focus is to develop regular routines, such as a daily lunch break.
When working from home it can be tempting to snack throughout the day in lieu of a sit-down mid-day meal as is more customary in office settings. “Working through lunch” might sound more appealing without the option to chat with coworkers in the break room or walk to a nearby restaurant. However, taking a lunch break has been shown to improve productivity, creativity and mental well being.
While cooking a full meal in the middle of the day might not be feasible, there are many simple yet nutritious lunch options that can offer an opportunity to slow down, rest and recharge before jumping back into work.
Here are seven of the best WFH lunches that manage to feel both easy and elegant:
- Crunchy tuna salad. No cooking required for this protein-packed lunch option. Simply mix up a can of tuna fish with mayonnaise and add your favorite crunchy vegetables, such as carrots, celery and peppers. Eat with bread, crackers, chips or on its own.
- Greek yogurt pasta. This simple pasta dish uses greek yogurt as an easy alternative to an alfredo or cream sauce. It can be thrown together in 15 minutes and topped with your favorite meat or vegetables.
- Fried rice. The secret to this recipe is day-old rice. No need to shop for special ingredients. Just saute the rice for several minutes before adding leftover meat and vegetables to the pan and topping with a generous amount of soy sauce. Ginger, garlic, sesame oil, chili flakes and lime will make this dish pop.
- Pita pockets. As an alternative to sandwiches, recipes like this Greek-inspired Chicken Cucumber pita pocket are quick and easy to assemble but don’t sacrifice flavor.
- Omelettes. Who doesn’t love breakfast for lunch? Omelettes are versatile, nutritious and can be thrown together in 5 minutes if the vegetables and/or meat is pre-cooked. In a pinch, a handful of spinach and cheese will cook quickly in an omelette.
Bon appetit!
