3 Easy Ways to Increase Brain Power in the Office

We’ve all hit the afternoon slump, that time of the day when your concentration goes out the window, the caffeine cravings come with a vengeance, and your mind is more focused on the minutes ticking away to closing time than the work sitting in front of you. When you’re looking for a bit of a brain boost, take these few helpful tips into consideration.

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1. Fill your body with goodness.

You may not realize it but the foods you put into your body play a huge role in how your brain works. Carbohydrates and refined sugars lead to major crashes when your intake is too high, meaning that after that midday pasta snack you’re likely to feel full and sleepy – and that’s hardly a productive mindset to be in. Because they’re full of vitamins, minerals and complex carbohydrates, fruits like apples are amazing sources of energy that won’t leave you groggy after digestion. Talk to the team about pitching in for a delivered fruit basket from Fruitful. With an abundance of fruit waiting in the kitchen when your stomach starts to growl, you’re less likely to give into temptations of sugars and caffeine.

2. Eliminate distractions.

Have you ever had so much on your plate that your mind seems to shut down when it sees a daunting to do list? Sometimes multi-tasking isn’t the way to go, especially if you have something important on the horizon. Instead of expending energy on seven projects at once, take all but one and put them on the back burner. If you’re able to focus in on one project at a time, you’ll find yourself finishing faster and having better quality work than if you try to spread yourself too thin. Take some tips from the experts about eliminating distractions, like turning off notifications for emails and messages and only responding at a scheduled time once all other necessary work is completed. The world won’t stop spinning if you don’t respond to an email the second you see it. And your coworkers will receive more thought out and concise answers in return.

3. Take breaks when necessary.

You’re given breaks for a reason – use them! It can be tempting when you’re on a roll to let the time slide by, but as your mind grows groggier your work is likely to suffer. If you see that it’s time for your break but you feel like you’re on the verge of a major breakthrough, set a timer on your phone for fifteen minutes and stop wherever you are when it goes off. Take that time to grab a snack, walk around the office and crack your neck a bit. If you’re a performance-driven person you may be inclined to let bathroom and lunch breaks slide away. But if you come back to your desk more refreshed and focused, your performance will speak for itself. Don’t sacrifice your mental health for your work – it’s never worth it!

If ever you feel yourself hitting a brick wall, try to avoid barreling through it. If you take the time to stand back, assess the situation and see things with a clear frame of mind, you’ll feel far better at the end of the day.

 

Author Bio

Krista Coulter is a freelance writer and healthy living advocate. She enjoys sharing her experiences and knowledge with others to promote a healthier society. 

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