Want to be more productive? Want to have higher levels of energy throughout the day? Then try these three tweaks.
1. Modify Your Morning Shower
Everybody enjoys a warm shower, but the bad news is that a warm shower has the opposite effect of energizing you.
As you step out of the warm shower and into a cooler room, the sudden drop in body temperature signals to your body that it’s time for bed.
Your heart rate and digestion start to slow down, which make feel sleepy.
Instead, if you really want to gear yourself up for productivity, stand under a blast of cold water for thirty seconds.
You might want to let out a scream, which is fine if it helps.
Alternate to warm water for thirty seconds, then cold for another thirty. This will get your blood flowing and really wake you up. Although it may not feel very pleasurable, your newfound sense of morning energy will speak for itself.
2. Eat with energy in mind
Eating breakfast has a significant effect on your energy levels throughout the day.
Skipping breakfast hurts people’s ability to concentrate – at least until lunch. Eating something in the morning is vital, but what you eat is just as important.
Starting your day with bagels and coffee may be tempting, but high-carb, sugary foods lead to energy crashes later on.
Early in the morning, energy levels are low from the day before and cortisol (stress) levels are high.
Protein have been shown to reduce cortisol and keep energy levels steady throughout the day.
Try porridge, eggs, peanut butter, bacon or ham for breakfast, topping up energy levels throughout the day with fruit or nuts instead of energy bars.
If you only have access to junk food at work, take time to plan snacks by bringing food from home.
3. Do what Howard Schultz does
As soon as you wake up each morning, there are no doubt emails, phone calls, and people that need your attention. But resist the urge to start responding right away.
Put your phone down and move away from your laptop. Checking those messages may seem like a great way to get a head start on the day, but it leaves you reacting to other people’s agendas, rather than setting your own.
Instead, outline your own priorities.
Consider Starbucks founder Howard Schultz, who puts aside one hour every morning to set his agenda. If judging only by the success of his company, it looks like Schultz may be on to something.
The truth is, how you start the first hour of your day determines how much you have accomplished by the last. So, spend that initial hour mapping out your objectives, eating a healthy breakfast, and meditating or working out. Not only will these things increase your focus, they’ll also provide the boost of energy you need to get more done in less time.