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Energy Boosters That Help You Get Through Your Workday More Healthily

by — Last updated: 2014-10-15 in Nutrition & Dieting

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Energy drinks have the reputation of giving you a quick boost exactly when you need it. They're not good for your health in the long run, however, and there are much better ways to boost productivity at work.

What do you do instead of relying on energy drinks when you are exhausted and not sure you can make it all the way through your day? To start with, commit yourself to a healthier approach. If you want caffeine, it's fine to start the day with a cup of coffee, but don't have more than two or three a day. Rather than using sugar as your fuel, start the day with a boiled egg, a protein shake, or some nuts. When you feel you need an extra boost during the day, look towards protein rather than sugar. 

Implementing a healthier dietary regime is definitely going to make you feel better in the long-term, and regular exercise is important too. Even if you do those things, there will be days when you can't seem to function right. If every day is an all-day fatigue day, please see your doctor if you haven't been diagnosed with something that does that to you already. These tips aren't going to cure more serious problems. They're just meant to enable you to be productive enough to prevent you from getting fired. 

Optimize Your Work Space

Spending all day in a stuffy office environment is going to make you more tired than you might otherwise be, especially if your workplace is also deficient in natural light and you can't open any windows. Some people are also influenced by the colors of their work space, while the productivity of others can be impacted by interior design.

A grey, carpeted office that hasn't seen a paint brush in over 30 years isn't going to be as good for your brain as a place that has been designed in a way that you like — a way that encourages your creativity, rather than killing it. 

Of course, there's a good chance you won't be able to change the color of your work space, or its interior. You may still be able to make small changes that have a big impact. Your productivity might be boosted if you can look at some nature — any nature — during the day. Get some plants, even cacti, or see if you can sit in front of a window looking out over some trees. Photographs you enjoy looking at, or some small art, may be beneficial too.

If you're able, take short breaks that allow you some fresh air throughout the day. This will boost your energy as well. Don't sit next to coworkers that drag you down with personal stories or anything else that distracts you. 

Short Bursts Of Exercise

Short bursts of exercise will energize you to an extent, though this may seem counter-intuitive. Get up and move throughout the day. Anything counts. Do 10 jumping jacks, push-ups, or ab crunches, or else walk up and down the stairs for a while. Make coffee for your colleagues, go remind your employees about that meeting tomorrow, or do anything else that gets your body moving. It will help.

See Also: Children And Teenagers Should Never Drink Energy Drinks, Doctors Say

Prioritize

We all have optimum-activity time windows during the day. For some, that's first thing in the morning while for others it can be just before lunch or even in the late afternoon or early evening. If you're not sure when you work best, take the time to figure it out.

Then, save your most important activities for that time of day and do tasks that don't require as much brain power at a different time.

Shutting distractions, like Facebook and email, off can be incredibly important to some people. If your job is creative, however, you may actually benefit from some distractions, like going for a short walk or browsing the web. This is when your brain can go into what is called diffuse mode, and it can bring parts of the puzzle that weren't clear when you were attempting to focus together. That way, you may be much more productive when you do refocus.