We would all like to feel focused and productive while working. Sometimes, though, you end up spending 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 the ways you can boost your concentration, thereby improving both the amount and quality of work you get done. Here are some practical steps you can take.
Get Comfortable
Any niggling annoyance is likely to become another excuse to cut short work time. Whether it’s 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 bright screen, you must ensure that your work environment is comfortable.
Take Regular Breaks
Not only are breaks good for your body, they are also good for the mind. Giving your brain time to absorb what you’ve been reading 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 day boosts concentration, cognitive function, and creativity in the hours which follow. For best results, combine your break with a brisk walk!
Banish Distractions
With modern technology and social media, there’s no end to the distractions which surround us. So that you can focus on your work, turn off your phone for an hour or so, or at least put it on silent!
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To get rid of the potential for endless distraction in the form of the internet, moreover, install a program on your computer which blacklists certain sites for a set period. No more Instagram breaks!
Stay Hydrated and Eat Well
Caffeine does provide an energy boost, but can also be dehydrating. 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.
It’s also a good idea to take care of yourself and your general health. Regular exercise can improve mood, combatting the stress that academic work sometimes triggers. Eating well will stop you from feeling sluggish and give you much needed energy.
Get Enough Sleep
When working to a deadline, you might be tempted to stay up into the small hours of the night. But exhaustion is not conducive to concentration or productivity, both of which will quickly decrease when sleep deprived.
Try to stick to a regular sleeping pattern. If you plan your essay ahead of time, there should be no need to pull an all-nighter! And if you would like to have your work checked for errors, from spelling mistakes to formatting, check out the academic proofreading service offered by Proofed.