How to Increase Work Productivity: 35 Tactics to Observe & Follow

This is a shortened article that was originally published on CareerAddict.com.

Do you often find your workday spiraling out of control? It starts off great: with a hefty to-do list, yet the general feeling of being able to conquer all. Slowly, you begin to lose concentration, procrastinate and become interested only in what Rachel is gossiping about behind you. Suddenly, you’ve slumped into a disengaged state of mind that you can’t escape.

Although this happens to everyone from time to time, if it happens consistently, then you’ll need to take action; otherwise, you won’t be able to negotiate that salary raise or promotion you’re dying to get. After all, professional advancement requires continuous work improvement!

So, let’s get right into it: this is how to improve your work performance and efficiency!

1. Eat well

What you feed your body is important. Ever noticed that after a carb-heavy lunch, you automatically want to sleep and can’t focus on the documents on your screen? Likewise, if you’re feeling hungry, you’ll find it equally difficult to concentrate on the task at hand.

Snacking during the workday?can help you perform better, so long as you should choose healthy snacks to avoid crashing later in the day.

2. Stay hydrated

Even though choosing the right food is important, staying hydrated is even more so. Many people don’t realize that even mild dehydration can make it difficult to concentrate and perform mental tasks. To stay hydrated and alert, you must drink ample water throughout the day — always keep a glass on your desk!

Another beverage-related tip is to limit your caffeine intake by swapping coffee with green tea. Although for many of us coffee is a must at work, if you drink too much in the morning, you will notice that you crash in the afternoon.

3. Adjust the office temperature

Your office environment can have a real impact on how productive you are. Some experts suggest an optimal zone of 71F to 73F so it’s comfortable for everyone. If you find that you’re?too cold?or?too hot, think of ways to manage the temperature either by manually adjusting the air conditioning system, or buying a small desk fan or heater.

4. Exercise

Exercising can help improve productivity, according to research. Set days in your week where you can go for a walk at lunch or attend a gym class. That said, if you really have no time to do this during the day, squeeze in some desk exercises instead, and try to get a workout in in the evening.

Getting your blood pumping could be just what’s needed to clear your head and get your focus back!

5. Sit in natural light

Depending on how your office is designed, you may have to rely on artificial lighting. If that’s the case, try and get your hands on a desk lamp that simulates sunlight!

And, if you do have a window near you, try to keep the blinds up and the window open. Natural light helps you feel more alert and rejuvenated, and improves overall productivity in the office.

6. Don’t skip lunch

Many people skip taking breaks and try to work through the entire day at their desk. Taking a break and changing your surroundings can boost your productivity, however. When you step away from the screen for a while, you return feeling refreshed and with new ideas — plus, as we’ve seen, healthy eating habits play a big role in productivity. So, don’t skip lunch!

7. Move around

Standing up and moving around can improve circulation, sending oxygen and glucose to your cells and energizing you. So, if you find yourself getting a bit restless, get up and move around, even if it’s for five minutes. If your office provides them, alternate between traditional desks and standing desks, which can help improve your posture as well.

8. Take naps

While most companies will frown at you if you?take a nap at work, others like Google and Ben & Jerry’s encourage naps to stimulate productivity.?Vincent Walsh, professor of human brain research at University College London, said that “a nap of between 30 and 90 minutes in the afternoon could help companies improve productivity”.

9. Work remotely

Cutting out your daily commute (and the stress that comes with it) can do wonders for your efficiency. If you have the opportunity to work remotely, doing this from time to time can really boost your performance and creativity, getting more items ticked off your list.

10. Have a great evening routine

Having a great evening routine will help you feel prepared for the following day. To ensure you’re alert and full of energy, start an early bedtime routine that allows you to switch off from electronics, calm your mind and get enough sleep.

11. Turn to friends for support

Support from loved ones increases our resilience, making it easier for us to handle stress in the workplace. Sure, your employer should be taking steps to promote employee happiness too, but each of us is responsible for our own wellbeing.

Sharing your concerns, worries and fears with loved ones is vital to your mental, emotional and physical health and, as a result, your productivity.

12. Learn to say “no”

When you think of things to improve on at work, how often does “learning to say ‘no’” spring to mind?

Even if it’s not the most obvious thing, saying “no” to additional tasks is one of the best ways an individual can improve their work performance. Of course, when you can help your team, do it! Just know your limits, and don’t perpetually overburden yourself; otherwise, you’ll struggle to get anything done, and the quality of your work will diminish, too.

For your mind

If your computer started to overheat and make strange noises, you’d turn it off and take it to a repair shop for maintenance. But do you treat your mind with the same courtesy? Here are some ways you can avoid overburdening your mind and slowing down your performance.

13. Take regular breaks

When you’re feeling mentally fatigued, take a short break; go and make yourself a cup of tea, catch up with a colleague, or simply take your eyes off your screen to relax.

Taking breaks can sound counterintuitive, but it’s really the key to better productivity. Studies referenced on the?Entrepreneur show that the “perfect formula” is to work for 52 minutes and break for 17. You don’t have to set timers, of course — just remember to get up and move to “reset” the mind and come back to the task refreshed.

14. Avoid multitasking

This may come as a surprise to you but, apparently, multitasking makes you less productive. Research conducted by?Stanford University?shows that “productivity can be reduced by as much as 40% by the mental blocks created when people switch tasks”. So, start tackling one task at a time from now on!

See the full advice guide at CareerAddict.com: Effective Tips to Increase Productivity at Work