Many people come to the conclusion that there’s a virtue in persevering through the afternoon grogginess. After trying out many different solutions, I imagine they feel it’s a situation they have to live with. But with everything that needs to be accomplished in a work day, there isn’t much room for ineffectiveness.
Andrew Bailey, from Quick Staff Management Tips, offers 3 steps you can take right away to help boost your mental alertness at work:
1. Make a daily list of things to do right after you wake up – After a restful sleep, this can be the moment when the brain is most alert. Workplace psychologist Mike Clinton says that “activity planning at the beginning of each day may be the single most productive task you achieve.” If you feel like you’re not rested when you wake up, try going to sleep an hour earlier to see if you’re just not getting enough sleep to begin with.
2. Make time for a snooze in the afternoon – In the early afternoon, the body is closest to sleep. Even a 15 minute nap can make a difference. A study performed by Harvard University concluded that people who have an afternoon snooze from around 12.30-1.30pm excelled in memory and learning tests. While the idea of napping every afternoon might not sound attractive, there are certain days when one could really help. You just have to make sure the flexibility is there to have one when it’s necessary.
3. Make sure to give your eyes a break from the computer monitor every 20 minutes – Eye strain as a result of computer glare has apparently been linked to a drop in workplace productivity, and Bailey even suggests that it can impact morale. Regardless, it’s a good idea to take a minute to find something non-digital to focus your eyes on every so often. When you find yourself groggy and staring at the screen, it might even be a good idea to get up and go for a quick walk.
