Whether you work in an office, from home or in a coworking space, remaining sharp and focused throughout the day can be challenging. Here are a few of our favorite hacks from The Huffington Post article, 12 Work Hacks To Keep You Sharp And Focused Throughout the Day by Healthy Living Editor, Lindsay Holmes.
- Take breaks. Research recommends working in bursts and weaving in breaks. The Atlantic reports, working for 52 minutes and taking a 17 minute break seems to be the magic formula.
- Eat or smell citrus. There’s something to those orange and lemon tangy fruits. Research suggests their scent improves alertness. If you’re not a fan of eating them, have an orange or lemon essential oil nearby and smell as needed.
- Stand up. Staying in a sitting position for a long stretch of time is not healthy for anyone and a surefire way to lose focus. Multiple sources also suggest that sitting is the new smoking, taking years off of our lives. Our 10x Management Co-Founder, Michael Solomon switched to a standing desk about 3 years ago and says he’s never looked back. “My first one was just hacked where I put some small nesting tables on top of my desk that were the right height. The result was great. No more slouching. No more getting sleepy in the afternoon slump. Increased stamina. After my first year, I bought a proper standing desk that doesn’t go up or down. I’m all in,” said Michael. If you’ve been thinking about experimenting with a standing desk or are ready to take the plunge with a permanent one, check out this article for affordable options.
- Try the 20-20-20 method. If you’re working with a computer, tablet or smartphone for extended periods, every 20 minutes or so stare at an object 20 feet away from you for a few seconds. These breaks can help ease eyestrain. The American Optometric Association describes Computer Vision Syndrome, also referred to as Digital Eye Strain as becoming commonplace in a technology driven world.
If you’re seeking more work or life hacks read, Time Management by Michael Solomon.