For many of us, staying completely concentrated and persistently productive for 8 hours or more every day seems nearly impossible. From long meetings to daunting deadlines, it’s imperative that you put your best foot forward each day if you want to tackle your to-do list. But how can you keep that second cup of coffee feeling going throughout the day? Check out these 5 tips.
Take breaks as needed
While it might sound counterproductive to stop doing work in order to do more work, researchers have found that taking breaks throughout the workday actually helps boost productivity. Here’s why:
- When you take a break, your brain gets time to actually process, understand, and retain new information. This is why so many people experience those “aha!” moments while they’re in the shower or walking around outside.
- Stepping away from the problem at hand can help you gain perspective and consider the bigger picture.
- Taking breaks can inspire innovation and creativity because your brain is able to rest and come back feeling refreshed.
- Breaks encourage healthy habits like exercising and eating healthy. Here’s a tip: consider investing in a FitBit to track steps during your break times.
Leverage natural energy-boosters
There’s nothing like a strong cup of coffee to get your morning off to a good start! But regular coffee drinkers are all too familiar with the 3pm caffeine crash that can put a serious pause on the day’s productivity. If you’re looking for an all-day solution to keep your energy levels up from 9-5, check out these natural coffee alternatives:
- Lazarus Naturals: CBD topicals, tinctures, and capsules that promote stress-relief, mood-enhancement, and improved focus.
- Beetroot powder: Beetroot powder can be added to smoothies and protein shakes for naturally elevated concentration and energy.
- Four Sigmatic: Fortified mushroom coffee that helps you stay focused and feeling fresh throughout the day, no caffeine crash necessary.
- Vitamin B12 supplements: B12 is an essential vitamin that encourages your body to produce natural energy. If your body needs a little extra support, a B12 supplement is a great, natural way to go.
Stick with a regular workout routine
Working out has so many incredible benefits for both body and mind. From improved heart health to stress-relief and boosted immunity, it’s clear that a consistent workout regimen is an essential part of maintaining your overall wellness.
But in addition to these benefits and its surface-level perks, exercise can actually make you more energetic and clear-headed at work. Thanks to the release of serotonin and dopamine, your body and brain can feel uplifted for days after you break a sweat.
But because so many of us are stressed out about getting our work done, it may feel impossible to find the time to fit in fitness, too. Don’t let your schedule stop you, check out these quick solutions:
Change up your scenery
Sometimes a change of scenery is just the thing you need to get re-inspired and refocused, especially if your office environment tends to be distracting. With approval from your manager, move to an empty conference room, work remote, or head to a nearby coffee shop next time you feel your concentration starting to slip.
And if you’re not able to work in another zone, take a few minutes to step outside and bask in the sunshine and fresh air, you’ll be surprised how much better you’ll feel!
Set yourself up for success
Becoming a master of productivity is all about time-management. If you’re constantly switching tasks or not keeping track of your time, it’s easy to start missing deadlines and feeling like you’re not accomplishing anything. To make sure that you’re staying on task, try using a project management tool like Trello. This can help you map out your days and prioritize your to-do’s according to deadlines and dependent tasks.
Final notes
Being productive doesn’t mean you have to stay tied to your work at all hours. By implementing these 5 strategies, you’ll be well on your way to checking off all the items on your schedule!
