IF YOU WORK in an office, chances are you’ve probably got into a bit of a routine at lunchtime.

You bring in or buy the same lunch almost every day, sit at your desk to nibble it and get straight back to work.

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Well, it doesn’t have to be that way. You can shake up your lunch hour with a few simple tips and tricks and return to work energised and ready to hit the second half of the day.

You’re welcome.

1. Say goodbye to sandwiches

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Now, a sandwich is a handy lunch, don’t get us wrong. Easy to make, easy to bring with you, easy to eat with one hand while you tap away at the keyboard with the other. But there’s so much more out there. From soups, to wraps to noodle salads, there are endless options around for a more interesting lunch – try being inspired by Japanese, Scandinavian or Mexican cuisine.

2. Pack a bento box

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If you haven’t come across bento boxes before, you’re in for a treat. Basically it’s the Japanese way of packing a lunchbox together and when you’re finished your lunch will look like art.

It’s often contains leftovers, rice, sushi and vegetables, but what you put into it is up to you – the secret behind the bento box is the attractive arrangement of the food.

3. Tidy your desk

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If you have to eat at your desk for lunch, then the least you can do is make it a pleasant space to eat your food at.

Tidying it up before you eat, giving it a wipe (we’ve heard horror stories of how dirty desks are), and setting a place for yourself with a knife, fork and napkin, will at least give the appearance of feeling like you’re eating a proper meal.

Even if you’re really just wolfing it down.

4. Check in with a buddy

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If at all possible you can get away from your desk and meet someone for lunch, then do. But if not, if you’re far too busy for that, then at least catch up with someone over the literal or figurative water cooler (or microwave or coffee machine) and have a little natter.

You’ll be able to put work to the back of your mind for a minute or two, and who knows, by the time you saunter back to your desk, you might have come up with a solution for that knotty problem you’re working on.

5. Stretch a little

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Everyone knows you’re not meant to spend all day sitting, that you should get up from your desk every hour and move a little, even for a couple of minutes. Unfortunately that’s not always realistic, but what you can do is do some easy desk stretches. Rolling your shoulders backwards and forwards, rotating your ankles and turning your head side to side will all move some muscles and help work out some cramps.

And if you’re waiting for something to heat up in the microwave, it’s the perfect time to sneak a little stretch in.

6. Take a walk

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If it’s at all possible, take a walk for even a few minutes. Getting out of the office and grabbing some fresh air, even if you’re just running to the shops for something, will do wonders for both your mind and body.

You’ll come back to the office if not full of the joys of spring (it being winter and all) then at least fresh and refreshed.

Looking forward to lunch now? If you’re in the mood for something fancy but are short on time, Avonmore have released a new premium soup range available in three delicious flavours - Slow Cooked Chicken & Vegetable Soup, Select Vegetable with Italian Flat Leaf Parsley Soup and Vine Tomato & Aged Italian Parmesan Soup. Easy to grab, easy to heat up and eat straight from the tub – why not try them all?