Sometimes, the conventional ways of trying to boost your brainpower just don’t cut it, and you need some clever, one-off tricks to smack yourself back in the groove and on your way to productivity heaven. Here are five bizarre, yet effective ways to help you have a more productive, less monotonous workday.
(Photo Credit: Matt Gibson/Flickr)
1. Kick off your shoes and relax your feet.
Researchers say that emancipating your feet from the entrapment of shoes can reduce stress and increase focus, thus improving productivity. Of course, this option is near impossible in industries where safety is an issue, but if OSHA allows it, let those feet run wild, flower child — The Barefoot Alliance says so.
2. Go green.
If your drab workspace is pretty uninspiring, consider adding some fresh, green life to your office (e.g., a plant). An impressive amount of research shows that adding green to your surroundings can help improve efficiency and focus, so if you’re feeling stuck again and can’t fake the funk, go out and buy a small indoor plant to get those brain juices flowing.
3. Be still.
The commotion of the day might be getting the best of your energy and causing a bit of a block, so it’s time to bring the big guns out and do nothing. Yes, you read that correctly: Do nothing in order to do something.
“In an age of speed, I began to think, nothing could be more invigorating than going slow. In an age of distraction, nothing could feel more luxurious than paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is more urgent than sitting still,” says travel writer, Pico Iyer.
4. Race the clock.
“Working with a sprint mentality enables us to focus fully for short periods of time, and then recover to recharge our battery,” notes Dr. Heidi Hanna, PhD (author of The Sharp Solution) to Women’s Day. Use a little bit of competition — even if it is a competition between you and your stopwatch — to motivate yourself into action. Simply set a timer for a few minutes and assign yourself a task to complete within that timeframe. This is a great way to get those monotonous assignments out of the way in a stimulating and semi-fun manner.
5. Take a siesta.
“According to a new study by researchers from Saarland University in Germany, a short daytime nap could significantly boost brain power,” reports Medical News Today. A 45-60 minutes nap “could improve learning and memory by fivefold,” the study says. What employee would argue with that? Therefore, the next time you feel a productivity lull coming on strong, hit the sack for a bit and rejuvenate.
Hopefully the tips above will help you get back on track and have a productive day.
Tell Us What You Think
What other ways do you switch things up in your day to get back on the productivity wagon? Share your tips with our community on Twitter and join the conversation.
Leave a Reply