With so little hours in the day, making the most of your working time is critical. You can increase your productivity very easily – you just have to work on yourself. These are the three key factors in making you feel at your best for working hours.
Food
There is a huge connection between eating habits and productivity. Good nutrition enhances brain cell development, so keeping a good diet is very important. A proper diet can help you manage stress better. It will keep you physically and mentally active – fats and carbohydrates can improve your mental functioning and enable you to think sharper.
Some of the best foods for your brain are:
- Salmon – it has omega-3 fatty acids which improve memory and mental performance.
- Berries – excellent antioxidant that improves memory functions.
- Green tea – natural energy enhancer without the side-effects coffee has.
- Dark chocolate – improving overall focus and energy boost.
- Nuts – antioxidant, vitamin E, and amino acid rich food that increases memory.
- Banana – a single banana holds the daily amount of glucose your body needs.
A good meal can positively affect your sleeping pattern, and with that, you to create more creative and efficient ideas while you are awake. Healthy food habits can keep you physically fit, which in turn sustains and develops your mental well-being. Last but not least, people who pay attention to their physical well-being are more confident, so that can reflect on your work, too.
Sleep
Getting an optimal amount of sleep daily can boost your mood and infuse your body with extra energy. That means that you’ll be extra efficient and have improved on-the-job performance. When you’re sleep-deprived, you’ll have more trouble refocusing on the task at hand after a disruption, compared with someone who is well rested. Never allow yourself to sleep than less than six hours each night. That is a clear indicator of an eventual burnout.
If you have an office of your own, consider taking a 20-minute nap. Midday naps improve performance and attitude, and they can help with productivity. Try taking a power nap in your car, in the conference room, restroom, at your desk, or even under it, just make sure to not sleep too long. Set the alarm, and make yourself comfortable. Power napping improves concentration and alertness, reduces stress levels, increases stamina and improves memory.
Sleep improves your ability to make more accurate split-second decisions by about four percent. It may sound as little, but you’ll notice the difference once you’re there. Getting enough rest is key for establishing what you’ve learned during the day. If you’re sleep-deprived, you have a higher chance of having a poor working memory, compared with those who are getting an ideal amount of snooze. A better-rested worker means a worker that makes fewer mistakes!
Air
With good indoor air quality, productivity can increase up to 10 percent. Climacool Airconditioning experts indicate that elevated temperatures and poor air quality can negatively affect work performance.
What’s also important is the lighting. Daylighting , in particular, s closely related to improved mood, less fatigue, and reduced eyestrain. In the US, one company succeeded in raising work productivity simply by relocating their employees to a new building with better daylight conditions, resulting in a considerable financial gain.
Larger commercial buildings typically have more complex requirements to control air quality. The ventilation rate is often determined by the cooling need rather than the need for fresh air supply for the occupants. Here’s what’s most important when it comes to air quality:
- Unblocked air vents or grilles.
- A strict smoking policy.
- Well-maintained office plants.
- Properly stored food and regularly disposed of garbage.
The healthier you are, the more productive you’ll be – and the more productive you are with your work, the more time you’ll have to spend however you like. Increasing productivity will always be an ongoing mission, but the trick is to take things one at a time. Slowly incorporating each of the above tips into your work week can make a world of difference.
Author: Anne Skye
