Habits to Energize Your Work Day

After years of work, professional stress can take its toll, leaving you with low energy and mental exhaustion. If you are feeling run-down, bored or physically tired, altering or adding a daily habit can be the solution. With a few small changes, you can energize your day and feel more alert and engaged.

Get Natural Light

If you work in an office building, natural light can be overshadowed by the glow from fluorescent overheads. Sunshine is crucial to the body's functioning, mood, health and sleep cycles. Avoid morning exhaustion and energize your day by sleeping with your blinds partially open; the natural light will help your body start waking itself naturally. At work, make it a daily habit to get out into the sunshine at least once. Take your lunch outside, go for a short walk or go out to your car. If you can't manage to get outside, spend some time near a large window to soak up the rays.

Take Screen Breaks

Modern professionals spend hours in front of computers, smartphones, tablets and televisions. This constant exposure to digital screens can cause a variety of problems, from eye strain to increased stress. Give your eyes and your brain a break by making it a daily habit to take regular screen breaks. Make notes on a piece of paper instead of your laptop, for example, or turn off your screen during phone calls. During meetings, put your phone away and focus on the speaker. If you aren't using your computer or device, power off the display. Even small breaks from the flickering blue light can help fight off fatigue.

Find Personal Time

When you're swamped at work, it can be difficult to find a moment for yourself. The constant exertion can make it difficult for your brain to transition between tasks, leaving you feeling unfocused and sluggish. Give yourself time to reset by making personal time a daily habit. Find 10 to 15 minutes to take a short break from all work-related things. Get yourself a cup of coffee and zone out in the break room, or head to the nearest cafe for a quick snack. Step outside and call a friend, or spend a few minutes on social media. Taking time for yourself allows your brain to rest, so you can go back to work feeling fresh.

Minimize Stressors

Make a list of the things that add to your stress during the day; ringing phones, bright red email alerts or loud co-workers are common to many workplaces. Take action to eliminate all possible problems. Turn off the vibrations on your cellphone, turn down the volume on your office phone, and turn off all phone and tablet notifications. Then, make it a daily habit to temporarily eliminate one other factor. If your email notifications are distracting, shut down the program for an hour each day, or check your messages at specific times. If a co-worker is too chatty, shut your office door after lunch.

When it comes to boosting your energy during the workday, even one new daily habit can have a big impact. By targeting your stress areas and unhealthy factors, you can face each day feeling refreshed.

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