Are you spending the 3,600 seconds assigned as your lunch break at your desk? For heaven’s sake, gal, ditch desk dining in favour of some midday me-time. Yes, bang in the middle of a busy workday! Come on, this one hour’s yours and you better make an effort to use it in a way that enhances body, mind and spirit. After all, looking after yourself is your job too...

Perk up
Feeling tired and dull? Then, this one is the perfect perk-me-up. Promise yourself a mid-day picnic at least once a week. Pack - fruits, sandwiches, and lots of juice in a smart hamper. Throw in a picnic mat, your fave book and comfy hat, and take it to your office. Stash your basket under your desk. At lunchtime, pick up your basket and go off to find a patch of green nearest to your office. Spread out your goodies and have a healthy lunch. Here is a great recipe:

Take two small boneless, skinless chicken breasts, one teaspoon olive oil, one each medium red and green bell pepper, seeded and sliced, one medium onion, thinly sliced, two cloves garlic, minced, two small French rolls, split and toasted, and salt and pepper to taste. Heat oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add bell peppers, onion and garlic and sauté for five minutes. Reduce heat to low and cook about 10 minutes or until soft and then add salt and pepper to taste. Grill chicken over medium flame for six to eight minutes per side or until chicken is no longer pink in the centre. Place chicken on rolls and top with peppers. If you are a veggie, switch chicken with cottage cheese and grill it for two-three minutes.

Another great pick-me-up tactic: finish lunch at work and then take a half-an-hour stroll around your office block. Not only does walking give you a break from the office scenery but it also is a great way to get some exercise. Do a couple of circuits in the nearest park.

Meet your mate
What is stopping you from pencilling in a date during your lunch hour once a week? Some mid-day tender loving care (TLC) is sure to rev you up for a long evening at work. Call up your honey (or dash him an e-mail) first thing in the morning and arrange to meet at your favourite restaurant or a hip new deli that is halfway between both your job sites. Single? Fret not. You don’t have to go hot footing around the countryside looking for a date. If you have been eyeing the office hottie, lunch hour is just the right time to get him to notice you.
Find out who he lunches with and where. Make sure you are seen in the same place at least thrice a week, before you go over and introduce yourself. If these moves are too bold or if your company frowns on colleagues fraternising, spend your mid-day meal break looking for love online. Forget dream lover, at least you will get a chance to flirt with some interesting men online!

Polish your act
Pop into the nearest salon and give your nails a magical makeover. If it is the summer season and your feet are encased in sandals, then a quick pedicure would be a great idea too. Don’t have the time to shine and polish your nails at a professional salon? Then give yourself a lunch-hour manicure at your desk itself. Invest in a manicure set to shape your nails. Another can do, especially before a big client meeting (only if your presentation is ready) is to get an appointment at your fave salon and snag a snazzy hair do. Suggests Priya Arya, of the The Priya Arya Salon, Delhi: "The best thing to do in lunch breaks is opt for a hair cut or trim and a natural blow dry. Avoid too many tight curls or over the top dos. Ask your hairdresser to give you a natural look. Also avoid getting hair colour or facials done during your midday break."Make sure you inform your dresser that you are on a tight schedule and need to be back at work to avoid your appointment slot being given to someone else.

Set the ball rolling
Make your luncheon the perfect time to meet people from other departments. One great way to do it: Walk up to the office cafeteria and introduce yourself to a whole bunch of strangers and ask if you can share their table. Find it tough to break the ice that way? Then the cafeteria jaunts are not for you. Instead, look to start a club, which gives you a chance to meet like-minded people within your office. You start a ‘Harry Potter’ club and office choir or perhaps even a salsa club. Arrange with the admin head to let you use one of the meeting rooms for your club activities once a week and in return promise to leave the room clean. Start by sending out ‘all users’ e-mail or make an exciting poster and tack it up on the common bulletin board. PS: Make sure you let your manager know that you are planning such a club.

Feed your soul
According to experts from the Medical College of Georgia, US, "Meditation has the power to lower blood pressure, even for healthy young people. All it takes is a little low-cost training and 20 minutes a day." So if you are feeling stressed, find a quiet spot in your office during your lunch break, sit quietly and focus on your breathing. So let your arms hang at your sides or rest on your thighs and close your eyes. Beginning at your feet and working up to your face alternately tighten and relax your muscles. Allow yourself to stay in this relaxed state while you begin to breathe in and out evenly such as this: Breathe in two counts; Breathe out two counts and continue. Remain silent and still for about five minutes. Stretch out, and you are sure to feel relaxed and renewed. You can also use part of your break to transform your mood by soaking in some culture. Take a trip to the neighbouring art gallery or a bookstore. Use a part of your break to learn something new - like a foreign language or a new cuisine. Log on to the net or buy a CD that can help you master the lingo.