To get the most out of your day, you need a lot of energy. When you feel tired and fatigued, it can have adverse effects on your productivity. If you are relying heavily on caffeine to keep you going, you may want to try some of the hacks below:
1. Watch your diet
Refined sugars and carbohydrates are the devil. Avoid them if you want to achieve optimum levels of energy and focus. Eat a paleo style diet that consists of lean meats, vegetables and natural fats and you will soon see improvements across many areas of your health. A poor diet (which includes alcohol) will wreak havoc with blood sugar levels causing surges and crashes in energy levels throughout the day.
2. Drink more water
You’ve probably already heard that water is vital for all our bodily functions. Everything you do uses up water, so it’s important to keep hydrated. To ward off headaches, irritability and tiredness, keep your body from becoming dehydrated by drinking eight glasses of water a day, if not more.
3. Exercise
Exercise is a powerful catalyst for all areas of physical and mental health and rapidly improves your daily energy levels and motivation. Exercise delivers optimum fuel for your brain. When you exercise, the heart pumps more oxygen and nutrients into your bloodstream which in turn improves the function of your whole cardiovascular and nervous system. When training, opt for high intensity interval training or movements that let the body explode. These exercises will wake up your nervous system.
4. Take a stroll outside
There are a plethora of benefits to being out in the sun. Mild sun exposure produces Vitamin D, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, and produces serotonin (the feel-good hormone). In 2007, a field study examined the effects of light on productivity. It found that daylight boosts your productivity and wellbeing.
Lack of sunlight can also suppress dopamine levels and affect your mood negatively. This may typically occur during winter months, but has also been seen in those who work long hours in office buildings. Don’t worry though, there’s a hack to get through your dark days while increasing productivity. Artificial sunlight can be effectively simulated with Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL). These lights come in a variety of temperatures to recreate the different hues of the sun. Artificial sunlight tricks your brain into thinking it is daytime by impacting your circadian rhythm and tells your body to stay awake. Use them in your workplace or at home for a significant boost in energy and alertness.
The combination of all these tips will have a great impact on your day. You will notice a big spring in your step as you go about your daily activities.
