7 Ways of Boosting Health to Enhance Productivity
Balind on 19 Jun 2007 | Tips & Advice
Ever had one of those afternoons where every few minutes your forget what you were doing? If you still think a healthy lifestyle means eating less or it’s only purpose is to make you more attractive, I’m going to outline a few ways that promote a balanced physical well-being that spill over into improving your productivity and mental performance.
Okay so you’re not ready to buy spandex outfits and hang out at the gym all night, that’s fine just make these lifestyle changes right now and before you know it doors of opportunity will be opening everywhere you turn.
1. Go for a jog first thing in the morning.
The fact that it burns calories and raises your metabolism is secondary, it starts your day on the right foot and puts you into a positive mental attitude. The day just started and you’re already being productive.
2. Think of food as fuel for your mind and body.
Because that’s what it is. Make all your meals that are during the work day, fuel based meals. Later in the evening when you have time to relax then maybe order or prepare something with flavor as a primary interest.
3. Eat small meals and separate your carbs from your proteins, only eat dairy on an empty stomach.
Your stomach is sensitive and it will rob you of valuable energy in it’s attempts to process large quantities of food or foods that require separate digestive enzymes to be broken down. Make your earlier meals carb heavy and your afternoon and evening meals protein heavy, try this for a week and see how much more energy you have.
4. Stretch & breath for a few minutes every day.
Being flexible makes aging more tolerable but more immediately it puts you in a mode where you’re relaxed and focusing, like meditation but not as boring. Later when you’re sitting at your desk you’ll find you’re sharper and more in tune with yourself and what you’re doing.
5. Get enough sleep
The stretching and breathing will help with this but if necessary take sleeping pills, cut out caffeine, whatever you need to do just do it. Imagine how great it would feel to wake up in the morning and have the first thought in your mind be “yay”.
6. Lift a weight once in a while.
“but I don’t want to get big.” Don’t worry you can’t, those guys eat like pigs and work out to exhaustion almost daily. There’s no feeling like being aware of your strength, it gives you confidence you can’t get anywhere else, confidence that translates to your every thought and motive. It proves to you that if you work hard you’ll get rewarded which instills a desire to work hard at everything in your life. You’re more likely to do your taxes, pick up that hobby, fix the leaky ceiling, etc. It makes you want to be your best and there’s no other way to live.
7. Get in the + side of health.
Think of a scale from 1 to 10, 1 being the worst possible shape someone can be in and 10 being supreme. Most people are a 3 or 4 and workout or diet to not-get-any-worse with no idea that their lives would be transformed if they just dedicated themselves to becoming a 5 or 6 before they simply maintain. Being on the + side means if you have to run across the street you’re not gasping for breath, it also means you’re sitting at your desk feeling great which makes you enjoy everything you do.
Now go to work.
Rey Bazan on 18 Jul 2007 at 12:37 am #
This is simply the best blog I have seen on the net. So much of what you say and think like reminds me of me. I have read all the postings and have walked away with useful bits of knowledge everyday. Keep ‘em coming
SM on 05 Aug 2007 at 7:43 am #
Thanks for the words of wisdom, this one in particular has definitely urged me to get back into a morning fitness regime and be more productive!!
Great Website!!
YAPP on 19 Dec 2007 at 11:30 pm #
Completely agree with all that was stated. I workout on a regular basis as well. I believe, well…I know working out helps me be more creative and focused when I work. It boosts your energy levels, and in a nutshell, just makes you feel ‘alive.’ I feel healthy and I feel awake. I don’t feel groggy, I always feel alert and energized. This is nothing other than an advantage and a plus no matter what job it is you do. I know guys that don’t work out and get no sleep. They stay up late, drink red bulls and eat junk food on a regular basis, and they always tend to be lazy and negative. I think the better you feel and the better you take care of yourself, the better you will perform and the more creative you will be. Alot of these guys who don’t take care of themselves I find ’slack’ or tend to ‘half ass’ things. They tend to lose creative inspiration as well, and I truly believe it has alot to do with lack of excersize and living a healthy lifestyle.
I also think maintaining a positive attitude at all times is extremely important. This will always enhance productivity because it requires one to be optimistic and always look ahead and concentrate on the goal, rather than getting caught up in all that’s negative. I personally believe in the ‘law of attraction.’ Rid yourself of all that’s negative and focus on everything that’s positive. Negativity will get you nowhere and does not help progress, whereas positivity will only inspire you to progress and do bigger and better things.
Passion is also a KEY factor. In our field, in order to be creativly productive, you must have passion for what you’re doing. You have to want to work hard, concentrate on every detail, and put together a ‘cool’ website. Without any kind of passionate drive, the end product just wouldn’t turn out the same and I don’t think productivity would be at the same level without it. I’m sure you have spent many hours working overtime perfecting many of the websites you’ve produced thus far - and I’m sure your inspiration wasn’t the paycheck primarily, but your desire and passion to create a cool website. It’s more of a personal goal and satisfaction, don’t ya think? This is what we love to do, we put our heart and soul into it. It’s that burning desire, ambition and passion to create…and we get paid for it. It doesn’t get too much better.
el mau on 03 Sep 2008 at 4:24 pm #
Great post, i think the same