How to Maximize Your Lunch Hour

Rather than giving a traditional how-to guide, I'll walk you through my lunch hour today to give you an idea of how you might maximize your own lunch break. Keep in mind that it's particularly easy to accomplish a lot in an hour if you live or work in Manhattan, as I do, but some of this will still apply in other places.

1. On the way to my favorite cafe, I stop at Aerosoles (which doesn't look crowded) and try on a couple pairs of flats. I like one of them but can't make up my mind, so I put it on hold.

2.  I walk a block to Dig Inn, where I can always find a tasty, quick, and quite nutritious lunch. Today I get a plate with Spanish brown rice, beef cutlet, steamed carrots, broccoli and kale, and a concoction of pinto beans (delicious! who knew?), red pepper, and greens ($10). I sit down and eat a bit, but the serving is large so I package up the rest for later.

3. Cross the street to the fruit vendor, where I pick up a banana and grapes ($2.75) to snack on later if necessary.

4. Keep walking toward the New York Public Library, 5th avenue location (not the huge touristy one but the one across the street, where you can actually check out books and movies). Stride purposefully toward the DVD corner, where I browse for a moment, spot "La Regle du Jeu" ("The Rules of the Game"), and check out (free). Now I have a fun evening to look forward to after work and my run.

 5. Last stop: Oren's. I cross 5th and 6th Avenues, pick up a delicious soy chai ($3.50) to linger over when I get back to my desk, and hustle back to work before the clock hits minute 60.

Et voila! 

I love filling my lunch hour with a combination of food, drink, errands, shopping, and/or simply walking. And why not? It's such an energy boost--and a happiness boost, too, when you realize how much you can accomplish or enjoy, smack in the middle of the work day.

Bonus Tip: Start your lunch hour early (before noon) so that the lunch joint won't be crowded and you won't waste time waiting in long lines while your stomach growls!