Peake Productivity

I know I’m at my best when I fully engage with a single task, then fully disengage from it before moving on to the next. It can be tempting, especially on these cozy autumn days, to “hunker down” and get lost in your computer screen. Don’t do it. Give yourself a break to refresh your brain and body.

Here are 15 ideas to get you started on your next productive break:

1. Drink a full glass of water. You might be surprised to find out that much of your hunger is actually thirst.
2. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Your eyes need a break if you work at a computer for much of the day. Relax. Breathe deeply.
3. Keep a folder full of inspiring emails and randomly pick one to read. Include favorite quotes and personal emails that “made your day”.
4. Keep another folder with humorous emails, video clips, cartoons that come your way. Visit this folder anytime you’ve lost touch with your sense of humor.
5. Listen to a song or piece of music that you love. Any one song. Sing along if you like.
6. Read one paragraph of that book you’ve been putting off.
7. Get up and have a dance party in your office. Or in the bathroom, if you must hide your incredible talents from your co-workers.
8. Go outside and throw a ball for your dog. Cuddle with your cat. Do something non-intellectual that opens your heart.
9. Take a walk around the block. Notice what you see.
10. Send a quick text of love and appreciation to a friend or family member. Enjoy what you get back.
11. Stand up and stretch. Get creative and find different muscle groups that haven’t been stretched in a while.
12. Find a small physical task to do. Repair something. Re-fill something. Be productive while you’re disengaging, if you must.
13. Take a nap. Corporate offices are adding nap rooms. If you own your own business or work from home, there’s no excuse for being sleepy on the job. Give yourself a “power nap” when you need it.
14. Browse photos of the people and places you love. Keep them handy on your desktop or screensaver.
15. Remember what you’re grateful for. Especially in moments of grumpiness or weariness, remembering gratitude can provide a great burst of energy.

Please don’t squander all of your break time on reading the news or checking Facebook. These things have the potential to distract and drain you. Instead, devote your break time to to one of these mini-meditations.

What else do you like to do to replenish yourself during work time? Please leave a comment to share with others.