Do you know the feeling in which you become so lethargic right in the afternoon and you are just too exhausted to even look at the computer monitor straight? The one where all your motivation comes from a dream of the glorious couch at home? Office survival should in no way be compared to an Olympic sport in terms of how one has to keep things fresh.
But here we are, running from one deadline to the next and chugging coffee like regulars! Let’s face it: no one would like to be associated with being the lazy person who fell asleep during a team meeting.
Fear not! Here’s a brief and practical rundown of how to stay fresh all day in the office, and nothing as drastic as a magic potion or mortifying dance in the lunchroom.
Without any further ado, let’s begin!
Start with a Fresh Foundation: The Morning Routine for Staying Fresh All Day in the Office!
If you are half asleep and come to work with your makeup from the previous day still visible around the eyes, then it is best to put up a “Do Not Disturb” sign. Mornings are an important part of the day, and that is why you have to make of them what you want. Now, get out of bed, wash your face with cold water (it is the best thing you can do for your face as a wake-up call), and possibly stretch a little to ensure that you do not go back to that sleepy state. Extra credit if you were able to drink your coffee while it was still hot. You are one of the coolest people around if you can do that!
Hydrate or Die-drate
Perhaps you are wondering why the office water cooler is similar to a social interaction center. Spoiler alert: It’s not just for discussing things like who has been out of the office this week and why. One tip is to stay hydrated in order to ensure that you are active and able to concentrate throughout your day. If you want a better solution, take a water bottle to work and keep it at your desk as a constant reminder to take regular sips of water. This is only a way of informing people that you have the wine and just don’t consume it frequently, as an indication of how little you consume it. They say there is an ideal degree of hydration that should be complied with if one wants to see his productivity flourish.
Snack Attack! (The Healthy Kind)
The main concept is to view snacks as your on-field supporters calling on you to remain focused and attentive. Instead of reaching for that pack of cookies (though we don’t judge; we’ve all been there), opt for healthier options: nuts, fruits, yogurt. You don’t want to eat anything that will make you feel too full afterward, so you avoid any food that you can describe as fluffy. More than decent if you prefer saving the biggest treats for the post-gym, pre-Netflix session.
Move Like You Mean It
If you keep fixed on that chair for 8 hours nonstop, you might as well invite tiredness with open arms. It is best to appreciate those five-minute intervals in an hour and take a little break! Not necessarily a full-blown jog in the workplace, but here you go—a quick stroll around the office or some slow yoga stretches performed in the desk space will do the trick (be careful not to kick your neighbor in the mouth while trying to do that though). Engaging it keeps your blood circulating, your spirits high, and your nerves well sustained. Also, it allows you to talk about that funny smell in the break room everyone has noticed but no one wants to mention.
Be Fickle with Your Focus
Have you ever been getting lost in the texture and the colors of the carpet in the office? Yeah, we’ve all been there. To avoid boredom, do not be always fixed on one particular task but change as time goes on. If you’re dealing with a boring task, switch it to another more interesting one. Combining focus types keeps your brain active and fights ineffective working behaviors like scrolling through the feeds on social networks for hours on end.
Office Aromatherapy (Sort Of)
You can sometimes choose to improve your mood by just choosing the right fragrance. Take a bottle of your favorite essential oil and put a little on your wrists (if you do this too regularly, your colleagues are going to think that you have taken a bath with the oil). Orange or lemon will freshen you up and give you all the energy; on the other hand, lavender will put you to sleep, probably not the best scenario for the office. A small hint to help you keep your morale high and your mind free!
Do Not Be Embarrassed to Have a Good Humor or Giggle Sometimes
I believe that laughter fills you up as high as an energy drink but comes with added social benefits. Post funny images, make jokes with your colleagues, and free the laugh inside you. Cringing is not just limited to the physical sense; laughing like a fool makes the atmosphere lighter. Also, who does not like good memes? (I’m not even kidding; send help if you don’t!).
Wrap up With a Positive Attitude
In simpler terms, I want to say that the means to keep it fresh has more to do with the attitude than the number of cups of coffee (unfortunately for some coffee lovers!). End your day with enthusiasm or affirmation over the things you’re going to do the next day. If it all seems too much, relax, recalibrate, and remember that you have made it through another day of the war zone. You may as well give yourself a little speech (in your head, unless you imagine being okay with strange looks).
Concluding Remarks
Being fresh all day at work is in a way like dancing the role of many; it needs delicateness, energy, and, of course, humor included. Adopting good practices, fostering relations, and understanding the nature of work schedules make even mundane long days manageable without losing that shine.
I hope this guide helped you to know how to stay fresh all day in the office. So, just carry forward that momentum—you can do it! And, hey, you are not just living through the office; you are loving it!
