From dawn till dusk — daily stress busting productivity tips

We all lead crazy hectic lives, trying to cram as much as we can into our work, social and family lives. So, while running around at 100 miles an hour, how do you keep those energy levels high and stay focused and productive? Here are our thoughts and tips on how to get the most out your day. It’s not rocket science — but hopefully some easy steps to help you keep a healthy body and a zen like state of mind.

Wake up early!

Even if you’re not a morning person there are proven benefits from waking up earlier in the morning. There are less distractions from family or work colleagues, so you can focus on challenging or critical projects but more importantly, you can make time for exercise and breakfast — both known to help you be more productive throughout the day. Successful people have been doing this for an age — so don’t get left behind!

Tip: Set your alarm 30–60 mins earlier than normal and leave it out of arms reach, so you’re forced to get your tired bones out of bed to turn it off.

Make time for breakfast.

You’ve heard it a hundred times before — breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so don’t miss it. If you don’t have time for breakfast, get up earlier!

Tip: With productivity in mind, you want to spend as little time as possible preparing food in the morning, so you can crack on as soon as possible. Cereal with fruit is a very quick and nutritious breakfast to kick start your day.

Exercise in the morning.

Set that alarm early and get the day started with a heart pumping workout. This will not only greatly improve your productivity but it also promotes good physical and mental health. Less stress, more energy and increased focus = more efficiency. All great reasons to set your alarm 60 minutes earlier each day.

Tip: Book yourself an early morning gym class or agree to run with a friend — and remember to pack your bag the night before, so you’re ready to jump out of bed and get to it!

Take a break.

Research has found that a mid-morning break is essential to keep your energy and productivity levels high — because you have the most energy and concentration in the morning, so it’s easier to replenish these energy resources a few hours into the day than it is later.

Tip: Schedule a 15 mins break into your calendar mid-morning. Get up, stretch your legs and get some fresh air.

Drink more water.

When the body is dehydrated, we lose energy; when the brain is dehydrated, we lose focus. Drinking more water throughout the day gives you more energy, keeps you healthy — helping you get the most from both your body and mind.

Tip: There are many different opinions on how much water we should be drinking every day. Health authorities commonly recommend eight 8-ounce glasses, which equals about 2 litres a day. This is called the 8×8 rule and is very easy to remember.

Fuel the body.

Along with drinking plenty of water, there are many foods that help to keep us energised and focused throughout the day. Omega oils, known as “brain foods,” help us focus and concentrate. Proteins and carbohydrates maintain our energy, and a little caffeine can give us a perk when we need it. Stay aware of your body’s needs and feed it accordingly

Tip: Eating smaller, frequent meals is a good way to keep your blood glucose levels constant, which helps you have energy. By spacing out your meals equally, your energy levels fluctuate less dramatically, so your body stays energised. Try planning out 4 or 5 smaller meals throughout the day.

Get ready the night before.

Before hitting the hay, prepare everything you’ll need for the next day. This will probably take you 15 minutes max, saving you more time for breakfast in the morning, or an extra 15 mins in bed.

Tip: Spin class at 7am? Pack up your work clothes, shoes, socks, etc. and lay out your gym kit, so you can get dressed and head out the door on auto pilot. You can also prep your food into containers to save you some time — remember, you need breakfast!

Get some quality shut eye.

You absolutely need sleep if you want to be productive. Sometimes you might feel that if you only stayed up working a few more hours, you’d get more done — but cutting sleep will ruin the following day.

Tip: Don’t skip on sleep — getting a good seven to eight hours should be your goal. Also, try and stay away from computers and social media for a couple of hours before bed — read a book instead!

This is the first in our series on ‘Productivity’.

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