I often get the question, "what supplement can I take to help me focus and get more done?" Many people are managing each day with a reactive response, just getting by with responding to the emergencies, the fires, the urgent task that needs to be done before everything falls apart. They are left feeling run down, overwhelmed, and anxious about what the next day will pile on them. They want a magic pill to fix it all.
Life does not have to be that way! You can take a pro-active approach to some of life's challenges and feel more accomplished, productive, and somewhat in control of what happens next! You need a few tools to help you determine where to start.
First, identify the areas you feel are overwhelming, and make a list. Then, write down what a perfect day would look like. (Big difference huh!) Hold on to this, we will come back to it.
Next, lets talk about 4 types of Healthy Lifestyle Choices you can make, that will have a ripple effect of positive and productive results throughout your entire day. As you read through, determine which areas you feel you need to implement into your routine and write them down next to your "perfect day" list.
Exercise. We know we need to, yet we avoid it, or ignore it, hoping we can somehow get away with skipping one of the most important "Healthy Habits" we can do. American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise, or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise.
30 minutes a day, five times a week, is an easy goal to remember. If that is not attainable for you right now, look at your schedule and start with something smaller, how about 30 minutes 3 days a week, and slowly build from there? Reach a compromise with yourself that seems attainable, not a new extreme that's just going to push you over the top again and set you up for failure.
How does exercise improve productivity?
Job specific pains and health risks were improved when implementing a fitness program.
For instance, in a study produced by the Journal of Sport and Health Science in June of 2016, neck pain was reduced among office and computer workers, dentists, industrial laboratory technicians, health care workers, and fighter pilots. Cardio-respiratory fitness- a health risk indicator for cardio-metabolic disease was also improved among office and computer workers, health care workers, and construction workers.
Exercise improves energy, reduces stress, strengthens muscles, reduces risk of chronic disease. It can also help with improved memory and brain health, improved sleep quality, and more! All of these benefits will improve your overall productivity simply because you feel better!
Nutrition. Living in a fast paced, reactive environment often leads to quick drive through meals, junk food binge eating, stressed out caregivers who feel like they just have to throw something together quick to survive. All of that rush only to reflect on how tomorrow will be different, yet no action in place to ensure that.
Now, we all have had bad days, and have frequented the drive through because it felt like our only option at the time. Don't beat yourself up, it happens. However, when looking at your ideal day, lets think of how to plan meals ahead of time, that will fuel your brain and body, allowing you to feel equipped for the upcoming challenges the day will bring.
Here are some of the benefits of being mindful of your nutritional needs:
A "Right Fat" diet, leads to an improved mental focus and concentration, and reduced aches and pains caused by excessive inflammation. “Right fats” are foods high in Omega 3 fats, and avoiding any processed foods that contain Trans fats also known as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils.
Nutrient dense foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables help keep the immune system strong. This leads to decreased amount of sick days off from work, allowing ample time to accomplish tasks at hand.
Eating whole, minimally processed, preservative free, artificial sweetener free, artificial color free foods. This can promote a healthy gut, improving digestion, aiding in reduced, time wasting discomforts, such as gassiness, diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux, and your basic stomach ache!
Positive Mental Attitude.
"Attitude is a choice, not a feeling."
Many people can get the two confused and end up having a depressed, negative, possibly combative attitude because you are possibly sleep deprived, maybe you are dealing with feelings or emotions of stress, sadness, anger, anxiety, or victimizing circumstances.
Having a positive mental attitude means choosing to have an attitude of gratitude, or a solution oriented attitude of focusing on how to solve the problem instead of just complaining about the problem. How about looking for the "win" in every situation, even if you feel otherwise. It's not always easy, but it is a habit that will most certainly change your life as you practice and perfect it.
This doesn't mean your feelings aren't valid, they most certainly are. Dealing with feelings may even require professional help to get to the source of the problem to find out why and how to help. However, acknowledging your feelings is separate from how you treat others with your attitude.
By choosing a positive mental attitude, you will increase your overall productivity because you will experience:
Reduced feelings of stress
Reduced anxiety and happier moods
Increased self esteem
Reduced risk of depression
Less conflict with others
Build your community. You need a health minded family to do life with.
Health Minded Peer Community. Your community is your support system of like-minded “family” enduring the challenges with you, encouraging you to prioritize your health.
Your community should offer accountability and mentorship from peers or leadership that have achieved what you hope to achieve. They support your desire to pursue healthy goals and achieve them. In turn, you have a responsibility to also contribute to those "family members" around you who have not yet achieved the goals that you have and look to you for support.
Now, go back to your list, and start adding in a game plan of 1 or 2 changes you can pursue now. Practice those habit changes for a few weeks, get used to them, and then add in another. Keep reviewing your list and adjusting as you go along. You will be amazed at how much you can achieve in just a few months.
Keep in mind, these tips are to assist you with pursuing productivity, from a health minded view. When looking at more serious, possibly medical or psychological matters, don't hesitate to seek medical or professional help if you feel your needs are more than you can bear.
I hope this is of help to you! I'd love to hear your feedback, and offer any assistance with questions you may have.