Whether you own a business, work outside of the home, or are a stay-at-home mom, there’s always something productive you can be doing. But some days, you may find it difficult to get into your normal workflow. You may feel distracted and struggle to focus on your tasks. You may experience headaches or dizziness. You might just feel fatigued.
It can help to check in with your body. When you stop to check in with yourself, you may find that a simple fix is all that you need to get back into your normal productive mode.
Here are three hidden culprits that might be disrupting your workflow and helpful tips to get you back on track:
- Your body is hungry.
It’s easy to forget to eat properly when you’re tirelessly working on projects and meeting deadlines. But when you’re hungry, it’s hard to think properly and that makes decision-making difficult. That’s why you must take time to nourish your body with healthy whole foods. You can easily fix this problem by getting something good to eat. Try to avoid sugary snacks. They may give you a temporary burst of energy but that energy will be gone within a couple of hours, leaving your body just as hungry as before and maybe even less motivated. Instead, try to opt for healthier snacks.
Here are 5 good options:
5 Energy Boosting Snacks to Recharge
If you’re working from home, you probably have easy access to good food. It can be tempting to indulge your sweet tooth between meals or eat several servings of your favorite salty snacks in the afternoons.
But to keep your energy level up throughout the day, you need to choose healthy meals and snacks that are easier for your body to digest and can help you stay productive. Try reaching for these food choices when you feel hungry and need a quick snack.
Green Smoothies
Smoothies are an excellent way to get more fruits and vegetables in your diet. Not only will a green smoothie nourish your body, but it’s also a good source of vitamins and minerals.
Eggs
Eggs aren’t just for breakfast. Eggs are nature’s multivitamin for a reason. They are a great snack to fend off your mid-day munchies. Eggs are naturally packed with protein so you’ll feel full longer. There are many ways you can make eggs but one of the simplest ways is to hard-boil a few, peel them, and leave them in the fridge. The next time you’re craving a snack, grab an egg.
Soups with Legumes
Legumes are vegetables that are encased in a pod or shell, like green beans and peas. Legumes are rich in fiber, which prevents blood sugar spikes. When it comes to soups, it’s best to go homemade if possible.
A healthy dark chocolate fix
Maybe it’s been one of “those days” and you just need some chocolate. Period! Try a chunk of dark chocolate or a chocolate banana smoothie. Studies show that dark chocolate can boost blood flow to the brain!
Fruit and Yogurt
If chocolate is not your thing, Indulge your sweet tooth with a bit of fruit and yogurt. Some options range from Greek to coconut yogurt as a milk alternative. It’s best to opt for plain yogurt and mix it with your fresh fruits.
Working from home isn’t always easy. But eating healthy should be. Make your healthy snacks easy to reach for. Store the ingredients you need for a smoothie in your fridge. Precut your fruit so you can just grab a serving and mix in some yogurt. To stay productive, you need to give your body the healthy foods it needs to thrive.
- Your thoughts are scattered.
You start one project but get distracted by another one. Then you decide to check your email and catch up on your social media updates. Before you know it, you have twelve different activities open on your screen.
When this happens, you might be experiencing a lack of focus. You have so many ideas and open tasks that you don’t know where to start. In this case, it’s best to pause and make a list. Write down everything you need to accomplish today or this week. Then prioritize these projects by numbering them. Your most important task should be number one so after you’re finished with your list, start there.
That’s a good place to start but if you find yourself frequently stressed and overwhelmed and therefore unable to focus regularly, something larger could be at play. Here are a few strategies that will help you overcome stress and overwhelm and therefore supercharge your focus and work life:
Achieve Inner Peace and Focus with These 6 Strategies
It’s difficult to stay productive when your brain is buzzing. You have so many ideas and thoughts in your head that it’s tough to focus on your to-do list. But you don’t have to let the mental noise ruin your productivity. You can quiet your brain by doing a few simple things then you’ll be able to return to work with focus and clarity.
Here are a few to choose from:
Start a journal.
When your mind is buzzing, try writing down your thoughts in a journal. This exercise will help you empty your mind so that your brain is free to focus again. Once you’ve finished with your thoughts, write about the benefits that finishing your tasks for the day will bring you. By writing about your tasks, you’ll be able to sort through and pick which ones are the most important to you.
Try coloring.
Coloring for half an hour is a great way to let go of mental clutter. Allow your thoughts to come as you focus on the design of your coloring sheet. Besides helping calm your brain, coloring also allows you to get into a creative mindset. It is a great activity if you’re trying to come up with a solution to a problem or seeking inspiration for a project you’re working on. If you dislike coloring, you might try doodling instead. You’ll still get the same benefits as coloring.
Practice yoga.
Yoga is another great way to calm your mind. It’s effective because it allows you to get fully in tune with your body. If other thoughts try to interrupt you, push them away and focus on your breath and the pose. You don’t have to enroll in an expensive class (unless you want to), you can find a skilled practitioner on YouTube.
Take a walk.
Taking a walk, even a short one, is helpful when your brain is buzzing. Not only does walking get you away from your desk, but it’s also a great way to relieve stress. You can powerwalk or jog if you prefer, but a leisurely pace will do wonders. Choose your location wisely. Busy streets can make it hard for you to focus and relax. Instead, opt for quiet streets or walk at a local park.
Meditate.
Meditation is a quick way to calm your mind and body. Get into a comfortable position and focus on your breathing. Take slow breaths and feel your body move as you inhale and exhale. Release any conscious thoughts as they come to you. If you’re new to meditation, it can be helpful to choose an object or word to focus on during your session.
Take a hot bath.
A hot bath is a perfect way to calm an overactive brain. Besides helping you relax, a warm bath can also improve circulation and ease tense muscles. After you’re finished soaking, try to take a quick shower with lukewarm or cold water. This wakes your body up and energizes you so that you’re ready to tackle the rest of your to-do list.
When your brain is buzzing, don’t try to work despite it. Instead, acknowledge how you feel right now and try one of the exercises listed above. Then you’ll be able to return to work with a focused mindset.
- Your body is exhausted.
Many things can cause you to feel exhausted besides a lack of sleep. Emotional stress, illness, chronic pain, and other problems can deplete your energy. When you’re exhausted, it’s hard to work on your business.
The best way to tackle exhaustion is to practice self-care. Look at your life and ask yourself what you need right now. You might need a day off. You might need a sitter to help watch your kids while you work.
You might need to let go of stressful clients or remove projects that aren’t a good fit for your talents. Don’t hesitate to give yourself what you need. If you take good care of yourself, you’ll find it easier to nurture your business.
You must take time to check in with your mind and body a few times each day. When you do this regularly, you’ll begin to notice your body’s rhythms and be able to plan your work around them.
Here are a few more suggestions to try when you are feeling worn out:
3 Simple Ways to Recharge Your Body
When it comes to being productive, your body is just as important as your brain. If you don’t care for your body, you’ll have a hard time finding the motivation to get through your day. You’ll experience decreased energy and be more likely to feel sluggish and tired.
The best way to get back into your normal productive routine is to recharge your body. You’ll find it easier to tackle your work with motivation and you’ll be able to give your full attention to all of the projects on your plate. While there are many ways you can recharge, here are three of the most popular ways.
Take a power nap.
A power nap is a short nap that enables you to wake up feeling refreshed. The trick with a power nap is the timing. If you don’t nap long enough, then you may feel groggy upon waking. If you nap too long, then you’ll have a tough time getting to sleep when it’s bedtime.
Many people find that the best length of a power nap is between fifteen and twenty minutes. For even better results, stick to a regular nap schedule. Most doctors advise taking your power nap in the middle of the day. This will allow you to get the benefits of a power nap without it wrecking your sleep cycle.
Treat yourself to a massage.
Many business owners spend a significant part of their day in front of a computer. When you sit all day like this, it’s easy to overwork the muscles in your neck and shoulders. That’s why it can be helpful to get a shoulder or neck massage.
Besides helping your muscles, a massage is an excellent way to increase your blood circulation, and getting one will make you feel more alert. It’s also helpful if you suffer from chronic pain due to a medical condition like fibromyalgia or arthritis. You can opt for a day trip to the local spa or you could find a massage therapist online through a website like American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).
Go on a mini-retreat.
A retreat is a chance to withdraw from everything around you. It gives you the space to reflect on your priorities and sort through your emotions. A mini-retreat might be just what your body needs if you’ve been experiencing a difficult time such as the diagnosis of an illness, the loss of a loved one, or another catastrophe.
Your mini retreat doesn’t have to last long. You can choose to have your private retreat for just a few hours. Try to pick a place or a series of places where you can go where you feel safe and comfortable. For some people, a safe place might be a library, church, or museum.
Final Thoughts:
These 3 hidden culprits that can disrupt your productivity are often also the most common. It’s easy to be so focused on work and productivity that you lose focus on how important it is to nourish or brain and body so that you can keep being productive.
Remember that in many ways your body is like a car. It can get you to your destination but it does need regular care and maintenance to operate well. Not to mention, gas!
Be well + prosper,
Elaine xx
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