There are countless ways to stay productive at work. Many of those ways you’re probably familiar with. You know that you should get a good night’s sleep, you should avoid checking social media while you’re on the clock, and you should have a plan for checking email so it isn’t distracting you all day. However, there are many other ways you can stay productive at work that may surprise you.
Make Sure You’re Safe in the Workplace
How safe do you feel at work? It’s an important consideration if you want to remain productive all day!
According to OSHA, there are over 5,000 workplace-related deaths each year in the United States. If safety plans aren’t in place, you could be putting yourself at risk, and if you feel nervous about your safety, you won’t be focused on work.
It is important to pay attention to your safety while you’re on the job. That includes looking for ways to prevent fall down accidents, which might mean labeling slippery surfaces that have just been cleaned. It also means resisting the urge to take shortcuts when you’re feeling pressure at work because those shortcuts could result in some serious accidents.
Personal safety matters too. If there’s something going on in your workplace that makes you feel uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to speak to your human resources department.
Keep Your Work Space Clean and Tidy
When you’ve got so many things to do during the day, you probably don’t think it’s that important to take time to keep your workspace tidy. That’s definitely not true.
Cleaning your desk comes with many surprising benefits. Not only can it affect your health, but it can also affect your performance at work. Some research is showing that a tidy space can positively influence our cognition, emotions, and behavior. It can reduce stress levels and make it easier for you to focus.
While you’re at it, take some time to tidy up your house too! It’s a lot easier to relax and recharge for the next day if you come home to a clean and tidy house.
Spend Some Time Outside Every Day
If you work indoors for eight or more hours a day, the only time you probably get to head outside is the walk you take to your car before and after work. Instead of spending your entire day indoors every day, make time to get outside.
Spending more time outside comes with many benefits, and many of those benefits can have a direct impact on your productivity and effectiveness at work. Benefits include:
- Improved short-term memory
- Reduction of stress
- Elimination of fatigue
- Increased ability to focus
- Increased creativity
Getting outside doesn’t have to mean spending the entire afternoon hiking at a national park. It can be something as simple as taking a quick walk outside during your break or playing with the kids at a local playground.
Eat Superfoods When You Need a Productivity Boost
What you eat affects every area of your life, including your productivity. A cup of coffee can get you going in the morning and a bag of chips or a candy bar can provide you with a quick pick-me-up in the afternoon, but if you’re looking for a productivity boost, you have to think a little differently about the food you put in your body.
A few of the best foods for productivity include:
- Salmon
- Dark berries
- Nuts
- Avocados
- Eggs
- Bananas
What you drink matters too! Skip the soda or coffee and focus on drinking more water. If you’re looking for something a little less plain, drink some green tea.
Use Your Breaks to Get a Little Exercise
You know it’s important to get exercise, but most people focus on toiling away in the gym after work when they would rather relax. Don’t torture yourself by spending an hour in the gym on the treadmill when you can use your breaks at work to get a little exercise!
Instead of sitting on your phone during your break, get outside and go for a brisk walk. Many stretches can be done at your desk when you need a break. Do some leg raises under your desk, or use the stairs throughout the day.
By all means, follow traditional tips for boosting productivity at work, but don’t think they are the only ways you can take control of your time spent on the clock. These tips will provide you with some great ways to keep up your productivity in any workplace.