Mental Tricks to Boost Productivity Levels
Let Your Mind WanderThis may sound counterproductive, but many people have reported a positive increase in productivity by allowing their mind to wander. As noted by Dr. Josh Davis, this allows individuals to come up with creative new ideas — ideas that may otherwise have gone unnoticed. So the next time you find yourself stumped on a task, relax and let your mind wander. Who knows, it might spark a moment of genius during which you produce your best work yet.
“Let your mind wander. It helps us come up with creative solutions or planning – we can sort out what needs to be done in the future. A lot of important stuff happens while we let our mind wander. You can come back to work in a few minutes, refreshed,” said Manhattan neuroscientist Josh Davis.
Exercise and mental focus go hand in hand. By staying active, you’ll promote greater blood flow and oxygen to the brain, which in turn enhances neuron connections while increasing levels of dopamine, serotonin and glutamate, all of which have been linked to higher levels of productivity. Rather than sitting in the office all day long, try to get into the habit of standing up and walking around at least once every 30 minutes. You can even invest in a standing desk so you can stay at least somewhat active while working in the office. The bottom line is that you need to remain active to boost mental focus and overall productivity levels.
How much sleep do you get during a typical night? Tens of millions of American suffer from some type of sleep disorder. Lack of sleep does more than just leave you feeling groggy the following morning. You’ll have trouble staying focused and your low energy naturally leads to decreasing productivity levels. If you snore, feel excessively tired during the day, wake with headaches and sore throats, you could even have a common but often overlooked sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea.
Even if you consume a nutritious, well-balanced diet, you may still benefit from certain brain-boosting supplements. Ginkgo bilibo and omega-3 fish oils, for instance, have been known to stimulate brain activity. It’s unclear exactly how these supplements work, but the general consensus in the medical community is that they do work. Taking ginkgo bilibo and/or omega-3 fish oils on a daily basis could improve cognitive function, allowing you to produce more work. Of course, you should talk with your doctor before starting any new supplement regimen.
In addition to “allowing your mind to wander,” Josh Davis also recommends designating two hours to high productivity. In other words, set aside two hours of your day to really crank out as much work as possible. Davis believes this will increase the amount of work you are capable of producing in a day, which makes sense. The only downside is that some people may already be working at their maximum levels, meaning they cannot push themselves further during this two-hour window.
Know any other productivity tips or tricks that you would like to share with our readers? We’d love to hear them!
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