Norwegian study: Skipping lunch breaks at work can be harmful to health

Skipping lunch breaks at work can lead to an increased chance of physical and mental exhaustion, according to a new study from Høgskolen i Innlandet.

Researchers have made several findings that show that small breaks during the working day can be health-promoting. 

Among other things, the study shows that those who do not take a meal break have up to seven times greater risk of mental and physical exhaustion than those who take small breaks during the working day.

In addition, they experience sleep problems almost twice as often, professor Leif Rydstedt told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK).

Several effects

“Talking to colleagues about something other than work seems to affect our mental and physical well-being. 

“In the long term, there is physical and mental fatigue, and in some cases, mild mental illness. But first and foremost, fatigue and exhaustion,” Rydstedt said about the findings on skipping meal breaks.

The professor believes that it is especially important to remember to take small breaks during the pandemic, as a lot of people are working from home.

The researchers have used data from Statistics Norway’s (SSB) living conditions survey from 2013 and 2016 in their work. 

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

Do you have a news tip for Norway Today? We want to hear it. Get in touch at [email protected]