Do you have any plans for the upcoming Labor Day Holiday? Maybe you’re planning a getaway to the beach or a peaceful trip to the mountains. If you answered no, try making plans to do nothing at all!

Sometimes, relaxation at home is just what you need to recharge and become more productive than ever. Although breaks away from the office are needed throughout the year, there also things you can do during the work week to increase your productivity, and health!

Make Getting Enough Sleep a Priority

To some, staying late at the office and waking up early may seem like the best way to get the most amount of work done. However, studies show that relaxing is actually one of the best ways to achieve productivity during the day, and without sleep and relaxation, work performance is at risk.

Those who receive less than six hours of sleep a night may be more easily susceptible to becoming burnt-out at their job. Therefore, relax, take deep breaths and get a good amount of rest every night to see the quality of your work improve.

Break up Your Work Day

Overworking yourself can actually be detrimental in the long run. Take breaks throughout the day as a way to avoid fatigue in the work place. Try not to make it a habit of eating at your desk or working through lunch.

Stepping away from a project and coming back shortly after can reduce the amount of mistakes made and help you to better focus. Taking a 15 minute break, rather than grabbing another cup of coffee, helps reenergize most individuals in the work place which directly effects productivity and work quality.

According to Professor K. Anders Ericsson and his colleagues at Florida State University, working in 90-minute intervals, with breaks in between, is the best formula for work efficiency.

Don’t Skip Out on Breakfast

Oftentimes, it’s easier to run out the door without breakfast or just quickly drive through somewhere. However, easier is not always better for you.

Eating a healthy breakfast can give you the energy required to get you through the day. Those who choose not to eat breakfast or opt for a cup of coffee instead, are more likely to feel tired throughout the day.

Try making time to cook a healthy breakfast in the morning, such as oatmeal or whole grain toast with eggs and turkey bacon. Or, for those who find themselves in a hurry to rush out the door in the morning, stock up on fruit and grab an apple or banana as you are heading to work.

The lifestyle habits listed above are not only good for the quality of your work, but they are also good for your health. Remember to relax and take breaks throughout the day as a way to recharge.

Also, take vacations and spend some time without work distractions. Whether you choose to take your family to an amusement park or just go on a road trip for the weekend, make sure to find the work-life balance that works best for you.

Sources:

Dallafior, K. (2012, Oct. 16). “The Morning Meal’s Impact on Productivity” A Healthier Michiagn. Retrieved from:  http://www.ahealthiermichigan.org/2012/10/16/the-morning-meals-impact-on-productivity/

Schwartz, T. (2013, Feb. 9) “Relax! You’ll be More Productive” The New York Times. Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/opinion/sunday/relax-youll-be-more-productive.html?_r=0

Klosowski, T. (2013, Nov. 13) “Why Relaxation is Key to Productivity” LifeHacker. Retrieved from: http://lifehacker.com/5983314/why-relaxation-is-the-key-to-productivity