<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hadesigns/4753128004/sizes/m/in/photostream/"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-616" title="lunchtimepedi" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/pedi-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>A couple of months ago I ran into a co-worker who was returning to the office in those flimsy flip-flops they give you after a pedicure.   I asked her why on earth she was wearing them at work.  Because she just enjoyed a pedicure during her lunch hour, that's why.  Duh! </p>

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<p>Leaving work for a lunchtime pedi would have never occurred to me.  Maybe because I was a teacher for 16 years, and during lunch, teachers scarf down their food in a nanosecond so that they can return to their kiddos.  (If they don't have lunch duty.)  Teachers don't run out in broad daylight to revel in something luxurious. </p>

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<p>A few weeks later, I witnessed another colleague donning the flimsy flip-flops in the early afternoon.  And after that, I spied one of the MANAGERS strolling around in her f-f-fs.  </p>

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<p>That's when I finally got the memo.  It's O.K. to have a "Calgon, take me away" moment in the middle of the workday.  In fact, I highly encourage it. </p>

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<p>You may now hear the same inner chatter that I once listened to:</p>

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<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"But I have too much to do!" </p>

<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"I need to eat!"</p>

<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"I only have an hour for lunch!"</p>

<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"Spoiling myself in the middle of a workday?  What if my boss sees me?!"</p>

<p style="padding-left: 30px;"> </p>

<p>As your friend who fancies herself an armchair therapist, I lovingly tell you to tell your anxious inner chit-chat to hit the road, sister! </p>

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<p>And here's living proof why:</p>

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<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"But I have too much to do!"  <span style="color: #ff00ff;">Study after study after study proves that taking proper breaks leads to fresher thinking and more efficient work.  </span></p>

<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="color: #ff00ff;"> </span> </p>

<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="color: #000000;">"I need to eat!"  <span style="color: #ff00ff;">That's what a PB &amp; J at your desk is for.  Or take it with you.  Just make sure that you don't drop crumbs in the foot bath.  That would be kind of gross. </span></span></p>

<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #ff00ff;"> </span></span> </p>

<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="color: #000000;">"I only have an hour for lunch!"  <span style="color: #ff00ff;">I achieved pedi perfection in 45 minutes.  You can, too!</span></span></p>

<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #ff00ff;"> </span></span> </p>

<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="color: #000000;">"Spoiling myself in the middle of a workday?"  <span style="color: #ff00ff;">Yes, you are SuperWoman.  And you DESERVE to take a load off.  You've EARNED it!  </span></span></p>

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<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="color: #000000;">"What if my boss sees me?"  <span style="color: #ff00ff;">Mine actually congratulated me for shaking things up and escaping to bliss.  If your boss is a real bitch, then hide from her.  Under no circumstances wear your f-f-fs back to the office.  If your boss interrogates you, tell her (or him) that you had your annual gynecological exam.  That should shut her/him up.  </span></span></p>

<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #ff00ff;"> </span></span> </p>

<p><span style="color: #000000;">When will you schedule your lunchtime luxury?   It's going to be more than O.K.  Trust me on this one.  </span></p>