Space out
You might think multitasking will help you tackle your to-do list faster, but doing nothing for a few minutes can help your lack of energy and ultimately push you to get more done, said Jon Gordon, a Florida-based consultant who advises corporations and athletes on how to stay energized, in an article on WebMD.com. Mental concentration is similar to a muscle, John P. Trougakos, an assistant management professor at the University of Toronto Scarborough and the Rotman School of Management, told the NYTimes.com. The brain becomes fatigued after sustained use and needs a rest period before it can recover, he explains. So take a quick pause to daydream, chat up a friend or coworker, or make a cup of tea that matches your mood.
Go for a quick walk
Step away from the vending machine and take a stroll around the block instead. In a classic study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, researchers had people either eat a candy bar or walk briskly for 10 minutes on 12 different days. Walking turned out to be the better long-term energy booster; the snackers’ energy levels plummeted within an hour of eating the bar. In a later study, the same researchers discovered that the more steps people take each day, the higher they evaluate their overall mood and energy. California State University scientists had similar findings: A brisk 10-minute walk increases your energy level and sustains it for two hours. For an even bigger boost, walk outside. Recent studies show that spending 20 minutes a day outdoors can significantly increase vitality, along with other health benefits.
