Finding Balance, Facing Anxiety, and Taking Your Lunch Break with Massoma Alam

By: Hilario Caro, Talent Optimization at StaffBuffalo

In this thought-provoking episode of the Pain Points Podcast, I sat down with Massoma Alam Chohan—author of Take Your Lunch Break and TEDx speaker—to discuss the realities of anxiety, workplace stress, and the importance of prioritizing mental health. Massoma shared her powerful personal journey from debilitating anxiety to resilience, offering strategies that anyone can use to feel more grounded in their professional and personal lives.

For nearly a decade, Massoma struggled with generalized anxiety disorder, a challenge that impacted her health, her relationships, and her work. After years of trying various therapies and reading countless self-help books, she finally found strategies that worked—and she felt compelled to share them.

“I really felt very alone during that time,” she explained. “I want people to know they’re not alone and that there are strategies and resources that can help you feel more like yourself.”

Her TEDx talk, Go Spaghetti, introduced audiences to the power of loosening tension and reframing anxiety. But with so much more to say, Massoma turned her experience into a book, Take Your Lunch Break, published in 2022.

Understanding the Roots of Workplace Stress

Drawing on her master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology, Massoma combines research with lived experience to shed light on the most common workplace stressors. Heavy workloads, strained relationships with supervisors or colleagues, and unclear communication top the list.

She also emphasizes the importance of prevention: “Either you take care of yourself now, or your body will make you take care of yourself later—usually at the most inconvenient time.”

Lessons from COVID and Changing Work Norms

Massoma began writing her book before the pandemic and finished it after. She added an entire chapter on the future of work, exploring how COVID reshaped expectations.

“Working from home blurred the boundaries,” she said. “People were actually working more because they could log in at any hour. Setting boundaries became more important than ever.”

Flexibility, mindset shifts, and clear communication are now essential tools for managing stress in a hybrid or remote environment.

The Power of Perspective: “Have To” vs. “Get To”

A recurring theme in Massoma’s work is mindset. She encourages readers to reframe challenges:

• “I have to go to work” → “I get to go to work.”

• “I don’t know how to use this” → “I don’t know how to use this yet.”

Small language changes can transform dread into gratitude and frustration into opportunity. “Our brains are neuroplastic,” she explained. “We can change. We’re always learning, always evolving.”

Resilience, Family, and the Gift of Rest

One of Massoma’s favorite chapters in Take Your Lunch Break centers on her father’s resilience as an immigrant physician navigating bias and adversity after 9/11. His story—and her family’s unwavering support—helped shape her own philosophy: resilience, perspective, and gratitude.

She also stresses the importance of rest. “Rest is productive,” she reminded us. “You’re not a robot. Give yourself permission to pause. Even a short break can increase productivity and reduce stress.”

The book’s title itself came from her experience of eating lunch at her desk every day. Research, she discovered, confirms that stepping away—even for a short meal—boosts creativity and well-being.

Embracing Wellness in Today’s Workplace

Massoma’s story is a powerful reminder that mental health and productivity are deeply connected. By reframing stress, setting boundaries, and giving ourselves permission to rest, we can build not only stronger careers but also healthier lives.

At StaffBuffalo, we see firsthand how workplace stress can affect performance, culture, and retention. That’s why we partner with businesses to create supportive environments where employees thrive and with job seekers to find roles that align with their well-being and values.

If Massoma’s message resonates with you—or if your team is ready to take steps toward a healthier workplace—connect with us today. Together, we can help you build resilient, engaged teams that know the value of taking their lunch break.