HealthyLife Articles

Tag: productivity

  • Energy, Learning, And Focus

    Healthylife® Weigh

    Part 5

    Senior couple exercising in gym.

    Improved Energy Levels

    Exercise helps transport oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. When your heart and lungs are working more efficiently, you have more energy to work, do daily chores, keep up with active kids, and have fun.

    Improved Ability to Learn

    Exercise increases production of cells in the brain responsible for memory and learning. Exercise can help with decision-making and higher-level thinking. Exercise also helps increase brain volume and reduce the number and size of age-related holes in the brain. This decreases the risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s.

    Improved Focus

    Exercise that requires hand-eye coordination or quick foot work helps your brain cells grow. These exercises, like tennis or basketball, may improve your concentration skills better than more simple exercises, like riding a stationary bike.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 6 Tips To Become More Productive At Work

    WORK LIFE

    Image of women at work looking at notes posted on the wall.

    Productivity means you make the most of your time. You may get more done with less time or with fewer people. But it’s not just about being fast, it’s about maintaining quality too. Learning to be productive means you can showcase your talents and abilities by doing a great job with the resources and skills you have.

    Boosting productivity is often easier said than done. When you’re tired, distracted or simply don’t know how to organize your day, it can be hard to stay productive. Try these tips to make the most of your workday – and get more satisfaction out of your career while doing it!

    1.Break down big tasks.Large projects can be overwhelming, so we often put them off because we don’t know where to start. Instead of letting a large project sit on your to-do list, write down the first step you need to do to get it done. Make it something you know you can do, and set a deadline for yourself. Once that’s done, move on to the next step, and so on.

    2.Have real conversations instead of emailing.Email chains can become time-wasters and often lead to misunderstandings or missing information. When possible, talk to someone in person or on the phone instead of starting an email trail.

    3.Check email at set times.We can’t avoid email completely, but constant inbox chimes can quickly diminish your productivity. Instead of reading every email as it comes in, turn off your email program and only check it two to three times a day.

    4.Take quick breaks when you can.Back-to-back meetings or intense work sessions can drain you. But you don’t need to wait until your lunch hour to energize yourself. If you can, take a few moments to get up and walk around. Stretch at your desk or try deep-breathing exercises.

    5.Tackle those little things to clean up your to-do list.If you have a bunch of small, quick tasks nagging at you, set some time aside to get them done. Then you can focus on the bigger, more important things without other distractions.

    6.Set your own deadlines.If a task or project doesn’t have a due date, it’s easier to put off. Even if a specific deadline hasn’t been set, you can give yourself one. This helps you avoid hanging onto those things that sit undone for days or weeks.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Fitting In Fitness When Life Is Busy

    BE FIT

    Image of two female friends walking outside in the winter.

    Regular exercise improves your physical and mental health in many ways. Despite its benefits, exercise can be hard to fit into a busy schedule. But no matter how busy your life is, there are ways to make physical activity a part of your routine. Try these small steps to work toward a more active life.

    *Focus on small chunks of time.Many people feel overwhelmed when they think about having to exercise for 30 to 60 minutes. But even 10 minutes of exercise has health benefits. Instead of surfing the web for 10 or 15 minutes, turn on some music and dance, climb the stairs or take a walk.

    *Schedule it in.Most people have at least a few minutes a day they could spend doing exercising instead of leisure activities. TV or Internet time are great examples of things you could cut back on to make time for physical activity. Put your exercise time in your calendar or set an alarm to remind you to get up and move.

    *Make it convenient.Try to find a gym that’s close to your home or work so you can stop by without going out of your way. Or, check out fitness DVDs from the library to use at home. If you make it easier to get started, it may be easier to stick with it.

    *Don’t forget about weekends.Use your days off to get in a few extra minutes of exercise. Instead of quick 10-minute walks, make it 30 minutes. Or, go to a park or walking trail and enjoy the scenery and the extra time for yourself. Go for a family exercise outing to help everyone get healthier!

    *Make the most of break time.Take just five to 10 minutes to walk around the building or up some stairs when you have a break from work.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 6 Ways To Boost Productivity

    WORK LIFE

    Three co-workers sitting at table working.

    When you feel productive, getting tasks done can seem effortless. But, productivity often doesn’t happen on its own. Boost productivity and crush your to-do list.

    Cut out distractions

    Silence your phone and turn off email notifications. Give yourself 15 to 30 minutes of uninterrupted work at a time. Check your phone or take a stretch break every time you finish a work block.

    Write goals down

    Take a moment in the morning to write a clear to-do list. Focus on the things you must get done, not wishful thinking. A clear goal is more likely to be achieved.

    Break tasks up

    Instead of trying to tackle the whole project at once, break it up into smaller tasks. Each piece should feel manageable, making the entire project easier to achieve from start to finish.

    Collaborate

    Team meetings may seem like a time-waster, but in reality, collaborating with others boosts productivity. Regular check-ins keep everyone on track and hold you accountable for getting positive results.

    Take a break

    Working pedal to the metal is a recipe for burnout. Regular breaks refresh and energize you making you more productive in the long run. A 10-minute break every hour is a reasonable goal.

    Move more

    Physical activity during the workday can make you more productive. Movement increases alertness and energy. Try a standing desk, stretching, or walking breaks to get the blood flowing.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine