Being a wellness manager is hard work. Between planning wellness events and implementing new, creative strategies to improve the health of employees, your day is bound to get a little hectic and stressful. To help you out we put together a list of our favorite tips that will boost productivity and keep you focused and energized throughout your workday:
Do your least favorite task first. We all have that one daily or weekly task that we dread. Get it done first! If you procrastinate it, it will continue to hang over your head and put a dent in your productivity level. Whether it’s a small task or big task, just get it done. The satisfaction of checking it off your to-do list will leave you feeling confident and productive all day.
Eat a healthy snack. And avoid sugary snacks. They’ll just make you crash later! Did you know that some foods can boost your productivity when you’re feeling sluggish? Eat meals and snacks that will give you the energy and nutrients that you need–like fruits, veggies, and nuts. For more foods that will improve the way you think and work, check out this article. Never let hunger get in your way!
Write everything down. Have a notebook by you side at all times. Write down any and every idea that pops into your head–even if it’s not related to your current task at hand. Along with ideas, make sure that every task, deadline, and commitment is written down as well.
Take a break to exercise. Feel like you’re in a slump? Not coming up with any new, creative solutions? Take a walk, go for a run, or hit the gym. Exercising for about 30 minutes during your afternoon slump will give your brain and body a much-needed energy boost. You can return to your desk feeling re-charged and ready to tackle any challenges.
Say “goodbye” to distractions. This can include everything from your cell phone to your company’s instant messenger. Texts, Facebook, and non-work-related conversations distract you from your work and can make you forget any fresh ideas. There’s nothing wrong with closing your office door or switching your status to “do not disturb” every once in a while.
Schedule regular breaks. It’s no secret that your brain needs breaks throughout the workday. However, many of us don’t give our brain the break it needs to recharge. Try scheduling a 10-minute break for every 90 minutes of working. Use the 10 minutes to take a walk, socialize with a co-worker, or watch a couple of cat videos on YouTube–or whatever it is that makes you smile and doesn’t require much thinking!
Learn to say “no.” There’s nothing wrong with saying “no” every once in a while, but there is something wrong with being a yes-man. Agreeing to attend every meeting and event that may not even require your presence won’t help you get any of your work done. Know your schedule and accept invitations and projects when they fit in with your schedule and make sense. Understanding and focusing on your priorities will keep you more productive and less stressed.
Meditate. It’s hard to be productive when you’re feeling overly stressed. Your day can easily become hectic with meetings, planning wellness events, and collaborating with numerous vendors. Take five to ten minutes to meditate or practice breathing exercises to help get yourself back on track and focused.
Clean the clutter. Ever heard the term “mess creates stress”? It’s true! Looking disorganized makes you feel disorganized. Clean up your workspace time to time and only keep the necessities. Junk drawers serve as great distractions, and certainly won’t help you get to work on your project that’s due tomorrow.
And last, but definitely not least– Practice what you preach. You know the benefits of keeping a healthy body and mind–you’re the Wellness Manager! Sometimes a hectic workday gets in the way and causes you to forget what really matters: your health and wellness. Give yourself time to relax, de-stress, and recover for a healthy mindset. After all, being healthy means being more productive.
How do you keep yourself productive during times of chaos? Share some ideas and pointers below!
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