GBA Lifestyle News
Say no to your sad al-desko meal in front of YouTube and hit the streets for some fresh air and a much needed break from the daily grind. Your body will thank you for it. Here are some creative ways to take full advantage of your lunch hour.
Ever wanted to get some shut-eye during your lunch break — but felt too embarrassed doing it at your desk/conference room? SLEEEP offers capsule hotel-like environment for busy (or hungover) office workers to nap in. Nappers sleep in a wood-lined pod, with customized mattress and pillow types to choose from. Best part? You can check in on an app — no need to wait in line (or speak to anyone). An hour-long session will set you back $149.
242 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, 9604-6049.
The Hong Kong Dog Rescue is constantly looking for volunteers to exercise some 600 dogs at its centers located in Tai Po and Ap Lei Chau. To volunteer, sign up and attend a three-hour orientation — then you’ll be on your way to becoming a volunteer, with a supervised first visit. Each successful application costs $100.
Use your break to pick up a new language or two — which is never a bad skill to have. Pacific Language Centre offers lessons in private or group settings. Most programs require two hours per session, though private students enjoy more flexibility. Lessons start from $200 per session.
2/F, Dah Sing Life Building, 99-105 Des Voeux Road Central, 2388-9691.
Instead of idly swiping on Tinder while you wait to pick up your takeaway, try Lunch Actually, a matchmaking agency that offers lonely hearts the opportunity to set up dates — which can take place over lunch, if you so wish. Sign up, meet up with a consultant to discuss what you’re looking for — and you’ll be matched with a special someone.
Alternatively, you may check out some of the dating apps circulating in our city.
Spending an hour on ice is a pretty good way to de-stress — or at least forget about work, as you concentrate on balancing. There are ice rinks at CityPlaza in Taikoo Shing; Elements in West Kowloon; Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong; and MegaBox in Kowloon Bay.
You may have noticed Octopus “bargain” stations around town — “doot” on one of these machines and you’ll get $1 to $2 off your next MTR trip. They seem to have gained cult-like status at lunch, with certain stations forming major lines. Popular ones include one on the footbridge of the Central–SoHo Escalators on Hollywood Road in Central and at the Gateway at Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui. Check MTR’s complete list of fare-saver spots here.
A lot of folks do this — and you don’t need us to tell you the benefits of exercising every day. If you don’t want to drop money on a gym membership, head to public swimming pools around town, or work out in LCSD-run sports centers that have free showers and changing room facilities.
Want to try something different? You can see our roundup of alternative workout ideas here.
There’s no reason why you can’t use this precious hour-long break to get some R&R.
Centralites can hit two birds with one stone at Ten Feet Tall, which does a lunch delivery in collaboration with health cafe YOUNI for customers for $50 on weekdays. The Right Spot also does 25- or 50-minute massages featuring aroma oil, or focus on pressure points, heads and shoulders, or feet. Soul Feet offers head and foot massages and also full-body treatments if you’ve got more time on your hands.
Need to freshen up? Go for a 30-minute hydrating facial at Flawless; or opt for half-hour skin treatments at W Hotel’s Bliss spa on Kowloon side. A speedy 15-minute session at Polaris featuring cryo technology, which uses blasts of cold air to invigorate the skin, could be another option.
Last but not least, it’s about time you actually used your lunch hour to do what it’s meant for — eat! Instead of your standard rice boxes from the supermarket, there are plenty of fancy restaurants in Hong Kong with affordable lunch sets.
