Feeling drowsy at work? Not feeling as productive as usual? Many workers are experiencing these feelings around this time of year with
daylights savings , changing seasons, etc. A poll conducted by the
National Sleep Foundation in 2011 found that 43% of Americans report that they seldom get a good night’s sleep during the work week. Losing that one hour during daylights savings time is that last step to making an already existing problem worse.
On top of daylights savings, we have the changing seasons and events such as staying up late to watch March Madness games can change our schedules and muddle our internal clocks. Bringing this lack of focus to your job can lead to a plateau of work and “cyber-loafing,” defined in a study published by the
Journal of Applied Psychology , as when one browses the internet for topics unrelated to their work. Here are a few
tips for how to stay focused and get back on track for your business.
Follow a schedule: Waking up and going to bed around the same time everyday will drastically help with focus and alertness because it regulates your internal clock. It also helps to maintain this schedule as closely as possible during the weekends so that Monday morning doesn’t take a toll on your mind and body. When your schedule has been thrown off, it is helpful to get back on track in increments. For example, you can set your alarm 15 minutes ahead and increase by day to help your body adjust to the new schedule.
Avoid caffeine right before you go to sleep: Having a cup of coffee too close to when you plan to go to sleep will just keep you awake, tossing and turning. Your body needs time to relax and cool down to ensure a good night’s sleep.
