7 Ways To Increase Productivity

Did you know that only 1 in 3 of us take a lunch break? As the average American works a total of 9.2 hours per day, it seems like a lot of us can benefit from adopting healthier habits, don’t you think? Here, take a look at a few of our productivity hacks to help you get your mind in focus to power through your daily tasks:

Eliminate Distractions

We live in a technology driven world with constant communication and alerts. Although sometimes necessary, these flashing pop up notifications, text and call alerts are massive productivity killers. Lessen your chances of being distracted - turn off notifications on your computer, shut down Skype and other messenger apps, and leave your phone on silent or keep it out of eyesight altogether. Headphones are another great way of silencing the digital noise and keeping you in the hustle zone.

If you're looking for an app to help, Freedom is a great option to help eliminate distractions and the occasional social media urges. It works on both your desktop and mobile devices.

Set Goals

Splitting your workload into small, easy-to-achieve goals can do wonders for your productivity. Not only can you keep a track on how you’re progressing, goal setting will help focus your mind on the end result and give you a buzz every time you complete a task. Try using productivity apps like Trello or Any.do to help organize your tasks and goals.

Workout

Find yourself yawning at your desk? Try working out. It’ll make you feel good by boosting your serotonin levels, improve your mental energy and increase the blood flow to your brain, making you feel more alert and enhancing your ability to tackle big projects. You don't necessarily need to hit the kettlebells or run an ironman to get your blood pumping either. A quick set of jumping jacks, body weight squats, and burpees can reinvigorate your work flow and get your mental juices flowing.

Take Breaks

Most of us are guilty of not taking time out. Despite what we think – forcing ourselves to work through our breaks can reduce the amount we get done. Research has shown that taking regular microbreaks (a break between 30 seconds to 5 minutes) can increase mental alertness by 13%. And, while staring at a computer screen all day, a 15 second break taken every 10 minutes can reduce fatigue by 50%.

Avoid Eating Processed Foods

Junk food plays havoc on the brain. It messes up your memory, makes you less likely to handle stressful situations and puts you more at risk of anxiety and depression. By replacing junk food with healthy snacking – your productivity won’t take a hit from sugar crashes and you’ll be more energized to power through your workload. Eat clean, think clear.

Get Your Zzzz’s

When a deadline is looming we often find ourselves working late into the night to get it done. However – one study found that individuals who slept less than six hours per night were unable to complete as many tasks as those who got their zzzz’s. If you're not well rested, your work effectiveness will certainly take a hit.

The lack of sleep also has been shown to raise cortisol levels in the body, which is a stress response. These additional physiological stressors will impact your workplace performance both in the short and long term. As much as we love the hustle, it's detrimental to find the right work-life balance, including the appropriate amount of sleep. 

Natural Brain Stimulants

Caffeine might be the seemingly obvious choice. A majority of Americans tend to start their day with a strong cup of joe. Tea makes for another great caffeinated alternative, with a ton of variety and additional nutritional components - some of which can naturally enhance cognitive function. Mint tea in particular is known for its astounding mind sharpening benefits. In addition to theses caffeinated options, if you're really looking to push the biological envelope, natural nootropics might be something to experiment with. 

If you're looking for an all natural, organic liquid brain boost, you'll love what we've got brewing. Chocolate Hustle launches this summer, it's a unique blend of chocolate, mint, and yerba mate designed to promote focus, clarity, and energy.