Extend our lunch

Dylan Regalado

Students should have longer lunch periods because they help their mental health, keep them focused, and students need them. Having around 30 minutes of lunch time may seem enough, but I don’t think it is. Students have to get their food and go to their spot, wherever they sit, and that is time already gone. Because of this, many students may feel rushed. Schools should give students more time because it supports their mental health by giving them a break, helps them focus better in class, and makes school feel better.

One of the biggest problems with short lunches is that students don’t have enough time to actually enjoy lunch. A lot of students are so busy socializing with their friends that they either can't finish their food or don’t finish it at all. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, students need enough time to eat a full meal in order to stay healthy and have energy throughout the day. When students are forced to eat quickly, it can affect their digestion and cause problems throughout their day, making it difficult to pay attention in class. Having more time would help students to slow down and actually enjoy what they are eating.

Another reason students should have longer lunch times is that it can help students do better and focus in class. School days are long, and students go from one class to another with little rest. Lunch is one of the only real breaks students get; if that break is too short, students go into their classes still somewhat tired and unfocused. Taking longer breaks gives the brain some time to rest, which can improve things like learning. When students come back to class feeling refreshed, they are more active, more ready to pay attention, and actually do better on assignments.

Longer lunch periods also help students to socialize. Lunch is one of the few times during the day when students can relax and talk with their friends. This may not seem important, but it really is. Having time to socialize helps students feel more comfortable at school and can improve their mood mentally. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports the idea that students benefit from time to relax and interact with others during the school day. When students feel stressed and more connected, it can positively affect both their mental health and their performance in school.

Some people might argue that longer lunch periods would take away their time to learn, and that is true, but not by much. It doesn't mean students would learn less; in fact, the opposite could happen. If students are more focused, less stressed, and physically healthier, they can make better use of the time they have. In the end, short lunch periods are not enough for students to eat, relax, and reset during the day. Schools should recognize that lunch is not just a break but an important part of their day in every aspect. By giving students more time, schools can help improve their health and focus, as well as the way schools themselves operate.