We would all like the time we devote to our work to be as focused and productive as possible. Sometimes, though, it’s possible to spend hours at your desk and have little to show for it. Staying healthy, creating the ideal work environment and taking breaks are just some of ways you can boost concentration, thereby improving both the amount and the quality of the work you get done. Here are some practical steps you can take.
Get Comfortable
Any niggling annoyance is likely become just another excuse to cut short work time. Whether it is an ache in your back due to an uncomfortable chair, repetitive strain injury due to insufficient wrist support when typing or sore eyes from staring at a screen which is too bright, you must ensure that your work environment is comfortable.
Take Regular Breaks
Not only are breaks good for your body, giving it a rest from being hunched over a desk in the same posture for hours at a time, but they are also good for the mind. Giving your brain time to absorb what you have been reading about and leaving a gap between writing and editing means that you can return to your work with fresh eyes.
It has also been proven that exercise in the middle of the work day boosts concentration and improves cognitive function and creativity in the hours which follow. For best results, combine your break with a brisk walk!
Banish Distractions
In the modern era of technology and social media, there is no end to the distraction which surrounds us. So that you can focus on the work in front of you, turn your phone off for an hour or so, or at least put it on silent! Many students complete their work on a laptop, so to get rid of the potential for endless distraction in the form of the internet, install a programme which puts certain websites on a blacklist for a set time period. No more Instagram breaks.
Stay Hydrated and Eat Well
Studies have shown that being dehydrated can decrease cognitive function by up to 20%. So that you’re on top of your game, drink plenty of water. Caffeine does provide an energy boost, but can also be dehydrating, so drink a glass of water with your coffee.
It is also a good idea to remember to take care of yourself and your general health. Taking regular exercise can improve mood, combatting the stress that academic work sometimes triggers. Eating well will stop you from feeling sluggish, give you energy and help to stave off the viruses which tend to strike when you’re feeling run down.
Get Enough Sleep
Deadlines can sometimes mean staying up into the small hours of the night. Exhaustion is not conducive to being productive and it is quite amazing how quickly ability to concentrate decreases when one is sleep deprived. Try to stick to a normal sleeping pattern, and if circumstances mean you can’t avoid an all-nighter, get back on track with an early night the following day!
If you would like to have your paper checked for errors, from spelling mistakes to formatting issues, check out the specialist academic proofreading service offered by Proofread My Document.
Get Comfortable
Any niggling annoyance is likely become just another excuse to cut short work time. Whether it is an ache in your back due to an uncomfortable chair, repetitive strain injury due to insufficient wrist support when typing or sore eyes from staring at a screen which is too bright, you must ensure that your work environment is comfortable.
Take Regular Breaks
Not only are breaks good for your body, giving it a rest from being hunched over a desk in the same posture for hours at a time, but they are also good for the mind. Giving your brain time to absorb what you have been reading about and leaving a gap between writing and editing means that you can return to your work with fresh eyes.
It has also been proven that exercise in the middle of the work day boosts concentration and improves cognitive function and creativity in the hours which follow. For best results, combine your break with a brisk walk!
Banish Distractions
In the modern era of technology and social media, there is no end to the distraction which surrounds us. So that you can focus on the work in front of you, turn your phone off for an hour or so, or at least put it on silent! Many students complete their work on a laptop, so to get rid of the potential for endless distraction in the form of the internet, install a programme which puts certain websites on a blacklist for a set time period. No more Instagram breaks.
Stay Hydrated and Eat Well
Studies have shown that being dehydrated can decrease cognitive function by up to 20%. So that you’re on top of your game, drink plenty of water. Caffeine does provide an energy boost, but can also be dehydrating, so drink a glass of water with your coffee.
It is also a good idea to remember to take care of yourself and your general health. Taking regular exercise can improve mood, combatting the stress that academic work sometimes triggers. Eating well will stop you from feeling sluggish, give you energy and help to stave off the viruses which tend to strike when you’re feeling run down.
Get Enough Sleep
Deadlines can sometimes mean staying up into the small hours of the night. Exhaustion is not conducive to being productive and it is quite amazing how quickly ability to concentrate decreases when one is sleep deprived. Try to stick to a normal sleeping pattern, and if circumstances mean you can’t avoid an all-nighter, get back on track with an early night the following day!
If you would like to have your paper checked for errors, from spelling mistakes to formatting issues, check out the specialist academic proofreading service offered by Proofread My Document.