10 Ways to Increase Focus and Boost Productivity

If you’ve ever spent all day trying your absolute hardest to put pen to paper yet failed miserably, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Thousands of individuals all around the world struggle to maintain their focus, especially when it comes to a full working day. 

You may find that you work much better in the morning and that your productivity slowly dwindles throughout the day. Whether you’re looking to study more effectively or get the job done faster, here are 10 different ways that you can increase focus and boost productivity. 

Get Plenty of Sleep 

Sleep is essential for humans, therefore, you should always aim to get a minimum of seven to nine hours of rest. Lack of sleep can decrease your energy levels and impair your attention span. Not only will your ability to perform tasks suffer from a lack of sleep, but so will your memory and concentration. 

Take Short Yet Frequent Breaks 

You may think that you’re more productive when you limit the amount of breaks you take in a day. However, more often than not, the opposite of this is true. Although it may seem counterintuitive, taking short yet frequent breaks can help readjust your focus. Constant stimulation is incredibly tiring for the brain, so try to take a break whenever you begin to feel stuck. 

Practice Meditation and Mindfulness 

Practising meditation or mindfulness can help clear up your brain and enhance your mental clarity. If you’ve never meditated before, it may be useful to take some lessons in guided mediation. If not, take a seat, set yourself a time limit, focus on your breathing, and pay attention to your thoughts. 

Take a Walk Outside 

A good dose of nature can work wonders for your productivity levels. Not only will a quick walk in the park leave you feeling refreshed, but you’ll also notice a boost in your energy levels. If you can’t get outside, try to walk around the office and release some tension with a few workplaces stretches. 

Remove any Distractions

If you want to have a productive day, you’ll need to remove any possible distractions from the mix. Having too much going on around you can hinder your productivity. It can make a 15-minute task take double or more. Try to reduce the number of distractions that you have as this will enhance your ability to concentrate on the task at hand. 

Listen to Music 

This may not be everyone’s favourite technique, however, listening to music whilst you work can be incredibly therapeutic. Some people find classical music to be very effective whilst others prefer music with lyrics. You can even try to listen to soundscapes created with natural sounds that help enhance your focus. 

Switch Up Environments 

Sometimes all you need to boost those productivity levels is a change of scenery. If you work from home, venture outside, and try to get some inspiration in a new setting. Similarly, you can switch up the way you work by standing at work. Standing at work improves your productivity by activating your muscles and reducing your tendency to slump. 

Eat Healthy Meals 

Believe it or not there are certain foods that can help activate your brain power. For example, foods that are high in fibre as well as fruits and vegetables help moderate your sugar content, which can subsequently avoid disparate peaks and troughs in your energy levels. Here are some productivity snacks that will help you get through your day at work. 

Set Daily Priorities 

Typically, we begin to feel unproductive when we have a lack of direction. In order to feel more accomplished, you can set a list of daily priorities. Take a piece of paper and write down a set of clear goals, ideally you should aim to tackle the biggest job first and work your way down.  

Exercise More Often     

Getting the blood pumping and the muscles moving can help a great deal when it comes to increasing your focus and boosting your productivity. Research shows that exercise can help boost your serotonin and dopamine levels which, in turn, may help improve your focus and productivity. 

Sometimes you need to listen to your body. You may find that the real reason behind your lack of productivity is that you’re suffering from burnout syndrome. This often occurs as a result of chronic workplace stress. Remember to give yourself a breather every once in a while, and take some time off if you need it.