Health and Wellness Hacks
Like it or not, the results you can deliver depend on your body’s state. A sick or tired body cannot do much.
I have had burnout before. I can tell firsthand that no matter how much you’re paying for using a productivity app, the cost is never enough to motivate you beyond what your weary body can handle. Sadly, it is always very little when you’re in this state.
Here are the health and wellness hacks you need to deliver results when you need to.
Sleep is the ultimate wellness hack: Don’t neglect your sleep. To get more done, you might neglect your sleep. The impact shows in your body and mind. And if you overdo sleeplessness, your body and mind will begin revolting when you need them the most. A lack of sleep or not enough sleep has been shown to result in cognitive performance deficits.
A well-rested body and mind are incredible productivity support systems! Not getting enough sleep ultimately translates into destroying your support systems by yourself. Nothing can be worse than that, as you fall hard and have no one else to blame for it.
Take breaks when necessary: As stated earlier, a tired body and mind hardly focus on anything or get anything done. It’s Okay to take breaks after some time.
There are different schools of thought regarding how long you should work on a single stretch. While studies show that you can go for as long as four to five hours without the mind feeling exhausted, many people are on the low end of the spectrum. Some people work in blocks of 10, 30, or 60 minutes or more. I suggest you find and do what works for you. And if you need to go beyond that, take a break first!
Stay Hydrated: You might not know how much liquid you take in affects your productivity, but it does. The relationship isn’t a direct one. When you are dehydrated, stress sets in fast. And when you’re stressed, there’s not much you can do. So stay hydrated.
Emotion and Mood Hacks
How your emotions relate to productivity is one that very few people discuss. But as a lady, even if you didn’t know it outright, you sure can tell that it is harder to work when you’re not in the mood than when you are.
Knowing how to get yourself in the mood or a reasonable frame of mind that supports work is crucial to productivity. Some jobs or tasks require you to be fired up. Others need you to be in more sombre frames of mind. Whatever the case and your personality type, learn how to switch moods as your jobs require.
Here are some emotional and mood hacks you need to apply.
Work on things you love: Not everyone has the luxury of being at a job they love. But there might be certain vital aspects of the job you feel good about. Work on those and get some results there first.
If you’re fortunate to pick what to work on, work on things you love. Passion can quickly help you blaze through many demanding tasks. It also helps prevent the frequent drifting to Fantasy Island we mentioned earlier.
As a result, you get more done as there’s no time lost to daydreaming.
Work on the most challenging things first thing in the morning or while you’re still fired up: It is no news that work drains your energy and emotions. So, while you still have a “full bar,” focus on the most complex stuff and get them out of the way.
Get enough laughter: Laughter is more than just good medicine. Laughter can be a good mood and creativity booster. Laughter has been proven to help people think and solve problems creatively. So, have a good laugh, enjoy some comedy during your break times or when you’re feeling stuck, short of ideas, or just feeling down. It helps to get your juices up and running.
Allow your mind, Wonder, but not while working: Those periods where you seem lost are also great for productivity. Freedom is an excellent motivating factor for many of us. Allowing the mind to be free to dwell on what it wants can boost your productivity. Just don’t do it while working. If you do, nothing will get done while you’re “away,” and that means you lost time.
Conclusion
So I hope you now know why productivity apps don’t work. I have highlighted some of the ultimate productivity hacks to help people focus on their projects. The list I have above is not exhaustive. But I have grouped them into priority hacks, health and wellness hacks, and emotion and mood hacks.
These might not be mainstream hacks, but they are essential because productivity isn’t just a function of activities. Many people are busy doing “useless” things. Productivity is a function of prioritised work by someone with good health and in the right frame of mind (or mood). This combination always makes for your best work.
I am a wellness and life coach, and I have written several articles to help you on your journey. You can read them by clicking here and make sure you learn Signs of Being Emotionally Exhausted and How to Overcome It. You can also get in touch with me if you need help.