Too often, the workplace drains us of our energy. Whether it’s during the morning hours or the afternoon slump, we all need a boost now and then. Luckily, there are simple ways to give ourselves a boost of energy and refocus on the task at hand. Here are six easy ways to keep yourself energized and productive throughout the workday.
Why Do People Lose Energy At Work?
The hours are long, the tasks are laborious, and the workplace is often full of stress and pressure. Unfortunately, many people lose their energy at work due to poor habits and decisions. Another reason is an overall lack of motivation and engagement. Without feeling inspired or challenged by the tasks set before them, employees can become disengaged in their work and slowly feel drained of their energy. Additionally, when there is no clear direction or purpose to what they are doing, it can be difficult to stay focused and motivated throughout the day. Likewise, when workers do not receive recognition and feedback for their efforts, it can lead to a feeling of stagnation and lack of progress. Despite all this, it is possible to stay energized and productive throughout the day.
Call Out What’s Distracting You
It is easy to become distracted and lethargic in one’s job. This can be especially true when one is struggling to meet deadlines and fight daily fatigue. Constant notifications on your phone, the noise of the office, or just an overall feeling of lack of motivation, can be hard to stay energized and productive in the workplace. So, what can you do? It is essential to take breaks and consciously refocus when these moments arise. By breaking the day up into small pieces, one can keep motivation and energy high throughout the day. Starters can take a break from technology and eliminate potential distractions by putting their phones on silent mode, or turning it off.
Break Large Tasks Into Smaller And Specific Tasks
To help energize and refocus, it is important to break large tasks into more specific ones. Whatever is your task for today: urgent generation of a paystub for a new employee or planning a creative birthday party, you need to break these tasks into separate ones. This will help make the task at hand more achievable by highlighting actionable steps, and will also help keep track of the progress that has been made. Furthermore, setting out a timeline to complete the specific tasks will give you a sense of immediacy, and provide you with the motivation to complete each step easily.
Increase Your Focus Slowly
To improve your focus, you must set realistic goals for yourself. For example, say currently you can only focus for five minutes before your attention is diverted elsewhere. In this case, aim to work on an activity for well seven minutes. Make sure to set a timer and strive to keep working until the timer goes off. Begin by making a goal of being able to stay focused and on task for seven minutes, then gradually increase it to 10 minutes. This way, any moments of lost progress won’t be so discouraging and you can steadily continue to grow your concentration span.
Eat Healthy Foods That Stimulate The Brain
Eating the right food can have a dramatic effect on how productive you feel throughout the day. Certain foods are packed with nutrients that can help you focus and even energize your mind and body. Healthy snacks like bananas, apples, blueberries, and yogurt, or dishes such as salmon, eggs, or even nuts contain protein, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which help to stimulate the brain and help you stay focused. Not only are they a great source of energy and focus, but they can also help to give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs for optimal health.
Do Breathing Exercises That Help With Oxygen Intake
Many studies show that taking a few minutes throughout the day to do some conscious breathing exercises can help to increase oxygen intake and boost energy levels. Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system which helps the body to relax and refocus on the task at hand. It can be done anywhere, anytime, and requires no additional equipment or materials. Some helpful breathing exercises include square breathing, where one inhales for four counts, holds the breath for four counts, exhales for four counts, and holds for four counts, repeating this cycle for a few minutes.
Scheduled Breaks Away From Your Computer
Taking regular breaks during the workday can be an effective way to reduce fatigue and regain focus. Scheduling a five-minute break away from the computer every hour, for instance, is a great way to give your eyes and mind some time to rest from the glare of the screen. During these breaks, you can step away from your desk and take a brief walk outdoors, or simply take a few deep breaths and stretch your body.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are plenty of things that can help you overcome energy loss at work. You can do all of them or just follow some of them. If you need more energy, try getting more sleep, eating healthy, or exercising regularly. If you need to refocus, try taking breaks, setting goals, or organizing your workspace. There are many ways to energize and refocus at work, so find what works.
