Relaxation and leisure increase your productivity

It may seem a tad paradoxical, but you can't be productive if you don't know how to relax. Leisure activities and relaxation like reading, talking, playing games, and other non-gadget pastimes can reduce your stress levels and increase your energy.  Want to learn more? Check out these tips! 1. Step off the merry-go-round. If you've recently undergone a particularly busy spell, you may be addicted to going full-throttle. When your mind's sick and tired of working, but your body can't stop, you need to slam on the brakes. 2. Understand that rest isn't a bad thing. You don't feel guilty about going to the bathroom, so why feel guilty about resting? While too much rest can cut into your productivity, an occasional break is necessary to top up your energy reserves. 3. Set aside some "me" … [Read more...]

Help! I feel brain-dead…how can I possibly be productive?

You eat well, you get enough sleep, you exercise every day, but your energy's at rock-bottom. Maybe it's toward the end of the work day. Maybe it's the end of the week.  Maybe it's the first day of your menstrual cycle. Maybe your biorhythms are at a natural ebb. Or maybe it's the dead of winter, and any sane mammal would be hibernating instead of driving to work while it's still dark out. Whatever the problem, here are a few quick fixes that can help you get back on track. 1. Recharge regularly. If you're staring at a computer all day, you're probably not moving much -- and lack of movement translates to lack of energy. Take a break and do something that gets you moving. 2. Get outside and get some sunshine. A lack of fresh air and sunshine deprives your body not only of fresh oxygen … [Read more...]

Your personal productivity suffers when you’re unhealthy

When you don't feel well, you have lower energy, and it's hard to be productive. Therefore, it's important to take good care of your health, to get regular check-ups, and to investigate chronic conditions you've resigned yourself to.  Given how quickly medical science advances, it's a good idea to check into the possibility of new treatments on a regular basis. Follow these tips, and you may end up feeling better than you have in years. 1. Practice good self care. Line up your routine checkups, screenings, and exams, especially if you're over 40 or suffer from a chronic condition. When did you last have a physical? Schedule future reminders in your calendar and stick to them. 2. Take care of your teeth. Good dental hygiene can add years to your life. Periodontal bacterial by-products … [Read more...]

What to do when you feel your energy slipping away…

PACING:  Plug Me In Even if you start out the day with plenty of fuel, you may eventually feel that energy slipping away. You can be zipping along just fine, then -- Boom! -- you hit what sports enthusiasts call "the wall." How well you handle your energy budget will determine whether you break through the wall and move on to the rest of your day, or just bounce off and slog through the mental mud. Try these tips to stay on the straight and narrow. 1. Stand instead of sit. You're not designed to sit for hours on end. Work regular physical movement into your work day, especially if most of your work is conducted at a desk. At the very least, stand up and stretch occasionally. 2. Give yourself a break. Failing to take breaks can affect your short-term energy and long-term health. Take a … [Read more...]