It's Time to Start Brown Bagging Your Lunch ...

1. Enjoy a Little Quiet Time

Spending time alone is one of the best reasons to brown bag your lunch. You may spend between 30 and 40 hours with your coworkers each week. And while you might have a good relationship with them, your job may not allow a lot of downtime. However, if your coworkers go out to lunch, and you eat alone in your office, you’ll have the opportunity to unwind and rejuvenate for the second half of the workday.

2. Saves Money

There's no denying the savings of bringing your own lunch. Even if you only eat out three days a week and spend $5 each trip, that's $60 a month and over $600 a year on lunch. You can put that money to better use, such as paying off debt or increasing your savings account.

3. Squeeze in a Nap

If your job is mentally demanding or exhausting, bringing your own lunch might provide a chance to squeeze in a nap. If you don't leave the office for lunch, you can spend 10 or 15 minutes eating your food, and then close your eyes for the remainder of your lunch break. I know several people who sit in their cars for 20 or 30 minutes on their lunch break and take a power nap.

4. Exercise

If you don't have time to work out before or after work, incorporating exercise on your lunch break is an excellent idea. Like taking a nap, you can spend 10 or 15 minutes eating, and then put on your walking shoes and walk around the block for 20 minutes before heading back to work.

5. Eat Healthier

Eating out with your coworkers is tempting, but it is not always the healthiest choice. Even if you order a healthy selection from a menu, your item might be full of sodium. When you brown bag your lunch, you can control the calories, the sodium and the fat content. This is an excellent way to eat better and reduce your daily calorie consumption.

6. Eat Less

And while we’re talking about healthier eating, bringing your own lunch also lets you control portions. If you go to a restaurant, you may receive a huge portion of food. And while there’s the option of only eating half your meal and saving the rest for later, this is easier said than done. When you bring your lunch, you can bring just enough to be satisfied without overeating.

7. Avoid Office Gossip

You may have a good relationship with your coworkers, but if you're tired of office gossip and the rumor mill, bringing your own lunch and eating by yourself provides a mental break. It’s easy to get dragged into the latest gossip talk, but you can avoid these situations by making yourself unavailable.

So, if you're looking to drop extra pounds, or if you need a mental break from your coworkers, bringing your own lunch and spending this time alone might be the answer. What are other good reasons to brown bag your lunch?