Raise your hand if it feels like you’re constantly struggling to increase your productivity throughout the week.
Well my friend, you are not alone!
Do you ever find yourself procrastinating daunting tasks because you haven’t had a good night’s sleep and spend the rest of your day running around like a scatterbrain? Same.
I’ve recently had countless friends and family members reaching out to me with the same question.
“How do you get so much done in a day? I feel like I’m always falling behind”.
It took me a while to reflect on my daily routine before coming to a solid conclusion.
The answer? Rest.
Incorporating rest on a daily basis has worked wonders for me over the years.
Ask any of my closest friends and they will confirm the fact that I am the QUEEN of naps.
Who doesn't love a good necessary adult peace session?
Sleep restores our mind and body while allowing our nervous system to recharge.
If you ask me, it’s the quickest way to boost your energy levels and increase productivity.
With that being said, rest doesn’t always equate to sleeping. There are several ways we can unplug and recharge throughout the day to optimize our time and tackle our to-do lists.
Solidify a Regimented Sleep Schedule
Knowing how much sleep you require every night in order to be productive is key!
Whether you can function off 6 hours or 8 is more your style, ensure that you are achieving your daily sleep requirement and allowing your body adequate time to rest.
Set your alarm (hell set 10 if you need to) and aim to wake up at the same time every day.
Your body will eventually become used to this routine and naturally start getting tired around the same time each night.
Do yourself a solid, put your phone away and recharge your mental battery.
Tackle Priorities in the AM
I don’t know about you guys, but I find I have the most mental clarity within the first 5 hours of my day.
This is the exact reason I prioritize scheduling my most important tasks in the morning.
During our resting hours the brain has finally had the chance to recharge and it's much easier to focus on our priorities.
Make use of your full battery and cross those daunting tasks off of your to-do list first thing!
Schedule Rest Days
This one is still new to me and if I’m being honest, I haven’t quite mastered the art of slowing down just yet. However, due to current global events, I’ve started integrating more rest days into my week and been thrilled with the results.
Whether you’re a workaholic or just a busy-body, it’s imperative you take time to relax and hit the reset button.
You’re bound to hit a breaking point and run out of energy if you’re always on the move.
After just one or two days of embracing full relaxation mode, you may notice yourself feeling rejuvenated and ready to tackle your goals!
Take a day off from the gym, turn off your phone, and revel in your solitude.
Set a Timer
Ok, I’ll admit sometimes I become so enthralled with the task at hand that I completely lose track of time and remain planted at my desk for hours on end.
While I feel accomplished for getting things done, I know I could have been far more productive had I set a timer and taken small breaks in between.
Depending on what you’re doing, try setting a timer.
Once it goes off, get up, grab a glass of water or a tea, go for a walk, eat a snack or stretch your body.
Give your mind a mini reset so you can return to work with increased focus and productivity.
Breaks are your friend! Use them to your advantage.
Take a Nap
Naps = Necessary Adult Peace Sessions
Still feeling low energy? Take a nap.
Depending on your schedule or workload, you may find yourself becoming tired more easily. This is your body’s way of telling you that it requires rest.
It doesn’t have to be long. I find anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour is the perfect amount of time for my body and mind to unwind and feel recharged.
Any mental fog I’d experienced pre nap is gone and replaced with crystal clear focus!
Lay down, close your eyes, and detach from your daily stressors.
Peace of mind is achieved when we listen to the signals from our body and implement regular self-care into our daily routine.
In order to increase efficiency we must allow ourselves time to decompress.
Take it from me who has spent years pushing myself through sleep deprivation and ultimately taken 5 times longer to complete certain tasks or deadlines.
Rest is essential!
It is necessary and you are allowed to take a break when you need it.
Solidify a regimented sleep schedule, tackle priorities in the morning, schedule rest days, set a timer, or take a nap.
Rest is the key to increasing your productivity.
Keisha V.
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