No matter our career paths, walks of life, or past experiences, we can all agree on one thing- 2 pm is the hardest hour of the day. There are many theories behind the mid-day drag; to some, it’s the lunch break that seems impossible to rise from, for others, it’s the sight of coworkers slowly packing up and leaving. Whatever fuels your mid-day drag, we have the solution. Here at Sky Inc, we have collected our top tips on how to be productive in the final hours of the workday.
Snack Often
Hunger leads to burnout, which is the strongest offender in the fight against the mid-day drag. Keeping small snacks in your workspace will not only fight off hunger but keep you mentally awake and ready to work all day. Of course, the healthier the food, the better you will feel. We recommend almonds or trail mix to keep you on task mentally, and in check physically.
Energize Your Lunch Break
It can be challenging to find the energy to push through your day after you have indulged in a big meal. It is easy to crave a cheeseburger and fries after spending the morning staring at a computer screen, but remember that post-cheeseburger, you are the least productive. Use your lunch break to fuel you through your day. Whatever your meal of choice, make it one that will infuse you with the energy you need to work.
Take Small Breaks
As easy as it is to get caught up in a task, don’t let yourself wilt in your chair for hours on end. It is not healthy for your eyes, body, or mental state in the office. Here at Sky Inc, we recommend taking a break every hour or so. Whether that be a walk around the office, practicing some light stretching, or simply standing up and staring at something that is not a screen. The longer you trap yourself at your desk, the quicker the burnout will come.
Keep Busy
A surefire way to lose steam in the final hours of the day is to have nothing to do. We get it, you walk into the office in the morning fully energized and ready to go, you fight the urge to go to lunch until your assignments are entirely done, and you return from break stuffed, exhausted, and searching for something to do. We urge you to plan out your day so that your assignments are scheduled evenly, giving you plenty of time to practice self-care in between tasks. Don’t let yourself become idle post-lunch.
There is a high chance that you are reading this blog in an attempt to avoid your to-do list. We want to urge you to walk away from your computer screen and take a break. If that doesn’t get you in a productive headspace, then it’s okay to accept the burnout. Set a plan to practice a little self-care tonight and do what you need to do to make tomorrow a better day! From all of us here at Sky Inc, we wish you a happy and focused work week!
