With only so many hours in the day, many of us feel that we have to constantly be on the go to make use of the little time we have. It’s easy to forget what the end goal of all these nonstop actions are, oftentimes believing the words “overworking” and “productive” to be synonymous. Our mind and body can only bend so far, so instead of harming ourselves in the process of getting work done, consider some pointers to being productive in a healthy and sensible manner.
1. Purposeful Breathing
During our careers, it can seem like nothing else matters except getting the work done before the deadline. However, when you’re not taking the time to think about your intentions, it can oftentimes lead to stress and anxiety. Instead of falling into a hole of poor productivity, consider practicing a series of deep breaths to bring back some control and reduce feelings of worry. When we are breathing purposefully and consciously, a rush of oxygen is brought into our body, influencing our mental clarity and making us highly focused. Don’t be fooled though – just breathing normally is not the same as mindful breathing and can take some effort and concentration to complete successfully. However, the results are ultimately worth it, making it key during moments of needed productivity boosts.
2. Eat Healthy Foods
It’s well known that eating foods with high nutritional value like fruits and veggies are good for the body, but did you know that it is extremely important in boosting brainpower as well? Sometimes, it’s hard to resist the casual piece of chocolate at work to give you that nice sugar high, but don’t forget – what comes up must come down. Instead of eating junk food, think about eating a healthy nut or fruit bar to give you that boost of energy and mind-power to finish strong through the day, without making you feel like garbage.
3. Get Enough Sleep
Many people in the working world are not getting enough sleep. In fact, 30% of people aged 20-39 and 40% of people aged 40-59 are getting less than the recommended amount of sleep. When sleep deprived, your productivity falls drastically, and you actually become more prone to making errors. On the flip-side, getting enough sleep at night not only improves memory and boosts creativity, but it can make you a happier person in general as well. There can be several reasons for not getting enough sleep at night, such as overuse of technology, an old mattress, or excessive light and noise. Finding the right tools to help you sleep without waking up feeling groggy or achy will help to get those creative juices flowing so you can show your boss just how great of a worker you can be.
4. Wake Up Early
We all know that (horrible) feeling of waking up late and being rushed out the door to make it to work on time. When this happens, we often miss eating a healthy breakfast, and forget to take the time needed to set your schedule for the day. Conversely, waking up early gives you the time needed to start your morning on the right foot, ready to take on the day and face any challenges that are thrown your way.
5. Take a Break to Exercise
Working out has more benefits than just being great for your body – it actually is extremely important for your mental well-being as well. In fact, exercising during the day when you’re feeling stressed can help to “reduce stress hormones while also increasing growth factors in the brain necessary for new neuronal connections.” Kickbox those insecurities and anxiety away so that you will be your most productive, creative, and responsible self at work (and you’ll look amazing too!).
Author: Elise Morgan