It’s good to construct healthy habits, no matter what. But how can they affect your productivity? No matter your profession, it’s easy to find yourself feeling overwhelmed, unfocused, and unhappy. Overworking is a habit in and of itself! However, there are ways to combat these feelings by growing better habits. Neglecting your well-being isn’t just bad for business, but dangerous for yourself. Incorporate some of these practices into your day-to-day to help increase your mood, focus, and drive!
Budgeting your time
Time management can seem impossible, especially while juggling things such as work, family, and personal time. Devoting what time you do have available to what you want or need to do is vital. Schedules can help divide your time in an orderly way, ensuring that you won’t forget what needs to be done. Budgeting your time may reduce stress, as having and holding routines can offer comfort for many. This doesn’t always necessarily mean sticking to a specific routine is the best option for everyone! Some people thrive on order, yet for others, it can become boring and repetitive.
The pressure of a deadline for every activity in your day can seem daunting, but there are plenty of flexible scheduling methods that can fit most lives. Even something as simple as a to-do list can put your mind at ease as far as making sure everything gets done. For several excellent methods of scheduling, check out this article from Indeed!
Move your body!
Exercise has been proven to boost mood and focus significantly while reducing stress. If you, like many, don’t have the time or energy to go to the gym, there are still ways to exercise! According to WebMD, sitting in the same spot all day can raise “your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.” Stand up and stretch every now and then, take the stairs, or find a few minutes to give your brain a break. Working your muscles and getting your blood pumping releases endorphins, which will trigger a positive mood in response. It doesn’t take much to help; Harvard Medical ran a study that “saw a 26% decrease in odds for becoming depressed for each major increase in objectively measured physical activity.” This research concluded that it only takes as little as the equivalent of adding 15 minutes of running or an hour of walking to your day to considerably improve your focus and mental health.
Take care of yourself
Exercising your mind is just as important as physical exercise. Verywell Mind has a great article on ways to exercise your brain in order to see changes in your mental well-being. “Self-care” has been becoming more popular these days for a reason! Self-care is important to the way you feel; anything from watching your favorite movie to seeing a therapist can be a self-care move that may diminish negative emotions. Again, your time off after work is there for a reason. Use it to your advantage! Your comfort plays a larger key role in your success than you may believe. Giving yourself the time and space to be comfortable, even if it is for a few minutes, relaxes the mind. As Cal Poly’s research concludes, The brain then releases a “relaxation response.” They also say relaxation can help in:
Lowering blood pressure
Slowing your breathing rate
Increasing blood flow to major muscles
Reducing muscle tension and chronic pain
Improving concentration
Reducing anger and frustration and improving mood
While working, sometimes a brief break is all that you need to feel more refreshed and ready to take on whatever comes your way. Something as small as getting up to refill your coffee or walking a lap or two around your workspace can make you feel far better. Distraction can be good in moderation; don’t overwork your head!
Use your time off!
Make sure that you get your well-earned leisure time. If your employer offers time off, take it! That time is there for a reason. Vacation time is meant for relaxation, but there’s no need to save up for a costly trip. Of course, take that trip when you can! But don’t let any extra time go to waste. Your mental and physical health can improve drastically by immersing yourself in what makes you happy. Utilize your time off to do what you love! This doesn’t apply to vacation time alone, but to all of your days and hours off of work. Lunch breaks, weekends, and evenings are all great opportunities to give yourself the care you deserve. Take an hour to yourself, practice your hobbies, or spend some time with your children! The moments that drive you are what you long for the most; make sure to allow yourself to take them in when you can. Your life is far more than just work, so ensure that you treat yourself accordingly.
Will these tips really help?
Not everyone will respond to every tip or technique the same way! It’s best to play around with your scheduling and try things out at first. Getting into better habits can absolutely affect your success at work; the happier your body and mind are, the easier it will be to get through long days. We recommend giving some of these changes a shot to see what works best for you.