Most people would need a break at some time even if they are exceptionally busy. Even just getting away for your desk for 10-15 minutes to grab a coffee or some food. And I don’t mean just for lunch. I’d personally suggest planning at least 3 of these purposeful breaks each day.
Doing that at lunchtime is often the most practical way - especially as loads of other people tend to be at lunch and you don’t tend to get bothered by things as much as when everyone is firing emails at you/walking past your desk.
The benefits of a small break will do wonders and make you much more productive/effective. For anyone going into a firm, I highly recommend planning regular breaks from your desk, even if it’s 5-10 minutes to go get a coffee, fill up a water bottle at the far end of the office or just stretch your legs/get some fresh air.
It’s even worse in a virtual environment. In an office you typically have these breaks walking from meeting room to meeting room, but you don’t really get that in the same way virtually.
One key tip is to not schedule things for a full hour/half hour. If you have a meeting that you would normally put in for an hour, put it in for 50 minutes instead and use the 10 minute gap as your break.
