How to jump-start your brain for a productive day
Waking up is hard to do, especially when you have a long day in front of you! Thankfully, there are some easy hacks that you can apply on your workweek routine in order to be ready to face anything that awaits you during 9 to 5.
Maintain a sleep routine and avoid the snooze button!
Even if you consider yourself a night owl or think that a few late nights during the week won’t do you any harm, science has a very different opinion on that matter. Simply put, missing sleep is hell for your productivity levels and trying to make up for it during the weekend is no help either. The key to maintaining a sleep routine is to prepare your body for it. That means no caffeine even up to 6 hours before bed and no laptop/tablet/smartphone on the bed with you, which has proven to keep you awake. Keep a good book at your bedside table and try to minimize on your snoozing each morning: recent studies have shown that too much snoozing might be the reason why you feel so tired during the day!
Don’t skip breakfast!
Yes, there is a reason our parents and grandparents insisted on having our breakfast every day. The most important meal of the day is not called important for no reason: it gives you the energy levels you need to be up and running during the rest of the day and boosts your metabolism. So, if you apply tip no1 and fix your sleeping schedule, make sure you wake up early enough to be able to enjoy the breakfast of your choice without hurry and never get to work again on a growling stomach.
Make a plan of your day!
There is a reason why people love lists of any kind: they help us stay organized and feel ready, providing a much needed sense of purpose. Before you hit the bed, make a list of the things that need to be done the next day or do it while breakfast instead of reading your emails or scrolling through Facebook and Instagram. Prioritize your tasks based on complexity or importance, complete the most pressing of them early in the day while your energy levels are high and feel the sweet relief of crossing them out of your list.
Walk, walk walk!
If you have the opportunity to take a short walk before you get to work, do it — even if you don’t have a dog! Walking will help with your circulation, it will clear your head and make you feel less stressed and if you stick to it you may even notice other benefits in the long run, like weight loss, improved balance and better results on your next physical examination!
