10 habits to keep yourself healthy and productive

If you are a person who strikes for productivity, you will most likely be capable of doing more in less time. And if you make habits to keep yourself healthy and productive, then you will see a positive impact on your day-to-day life. 

There is just something so very rewarding about finding ways of being more healthy and productive. Of course, the last thing you want to do is overwork yourself and ending up feeling sick or extremely exhausted because of it. This is when the healthy bit comes into play. You should always listen to yourself and recognize your limits. Still, the great thing about increasing your productivity means decreasing the demands on your time, as well as getting the most value for the work you are putting into it. There is no need for any drastic changes, just a few tweaks to your routine can make a substantial difference. 

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So which are the 10 habits you should try to keep yourself healthy and productive? 

1. The healthy and productive classic: Wake up early. 

I know, I know, this one is everything but groundbreaking. Still, mornings are the start of your day and they set the tone for how the rest of it might potentially unfold. By waking up early you don’t get that overwhelming feeling of rush at the very beginning of your day, therefore reducing your levels of stress. Though waking up early does not mean getting up at 5 am every single day, not at all. It just means that you should probably start your day before you get the chance to feel overwhelmed by all the things you have to do. Usually, getting up around 7, 8, or even 9 am is enough for most people. 

2. Create short-term and long-term goals for yourself. 

If you have trouble staying focused on the tasks you have to do and end up feeling overwhelmed by the disorganization, try establishing specific short-term and long-term goals. A great way to do this is to set a couple of daily goals for your day, like studying for a minimum of two hours or cleaning up your room, and weekly goals. Your weekly goals can be to turn in a specific assignment, doing exercise at least three times that week, or remembering to call your grandma to say hello. By separating your tasks into a short-term (daily) group and a long-term (weekly or even monthly ones) one, you will feel much more organized and ready to tackle your to-do list in a more productive way than ever before. 

3. Put your phone on do-not-disturb mode whenever you are working or studying. 

Here is a little secret: my phone is on do-not-disturb for the entirety of the day, every day. Of course, I let it buzz when I really need it but if I acknowledge that the notifications will do nothing but distract me, then I will not let it happen. Over time, I have realized how mindful this has forced me to be about the time I spend on my phone. There is something rewarding about knowing that if I pick up my phone it is because I consciously choose to do so instead of getting tempted by the next random ring of an Instagram comment or spam email. So I urge you to try it as well. If you want to really focus on a task you are doing, then do not let your phone distract you. Put it on do-not-disturb mode and be more mindful about your use of it. 

4. If you are stuck, change your scenery. 

In the case you find yourself staring at your computer screen or books with an empty look in your eyes and are no longer capable of processing any new information, then you need to switch things up. For example, if you are sitting at your desk, move over to the balcony. Or perhaps you are in your living room, you can switch to studying in your backyard. Moving around the house can make you feel refreshed and ready to keep going. If you are not feeling ready to keep going then…

5. Know when to take a break. 

Burnout is real, and it can happen multiple times in the same day. You need to take a few rests in between all that working or studying. Regular breaks help you feel more energized and ready to jump right back to work. Perhaps go for a walk around your block or read a few pages of your favourite book. No matter which activity you choose to help you unwind, be sure to make it count. You will find yourself feeling more healthy and productive than before. 

6. Minimize all that multitasking. 

Switching between all those tasks actually makes you more tired because it is taking up your mental energy to change so often. This way, instead of being more healthy and productive, you are barely skimming over the surface of those tasks you are trying to do. You will feel less tired if you focus your attention on one thing at a time. 

7. Stop waiting for motivation, or inspiration, to strike. 

I don’t think anyone ever feels much motivation about going to the bank or cleaning up the apartment. Still, you just get up and do it anyway because it has to be done. The same goes for your work or studies. If you sit around waiting for motivation to show up you might grow old waiting. The most healthy and productive method is to just tackle that task from the get-go and see where it takes you. Most likely, you will feel more motivated once you have started working on it. Being productive is also being smarter about your time. Laying around waiting is not a good use of your day. Getting things done so you can have a healthy break sooner is a much more clever way to use your time. 

8. Cut off all non-essential tasks. 

Do you really need that group project follow-up call that will take up to 3 hours of your afternoon? If there is a way to do a certain task that will be more efficient, then cut off the time-consuming method. If you can do it by yourself or by just texting your coworkers, do it that way instead of risking being in a call that’s 80% work and 20% casual chattering. Choose your tasks for the day wisely, it will help you be more healthy and productive. Trust me, your 8 pm “I did nothing all day but I’m exhausted” self will thank you for it. 

9. Set rewards for yourself. 

If you feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel, then you need to change your mindset about being more productive. It is not about working all day long with no prospects of an enjoyable moment ahead. Maybe promise yourself to watch that movie you have been wanting to see for a week if you clean up your room, or go for coffee with a friend if you finished work for the day. Establishing rewards for yourself will help with your motivation and make you be more time-efficient. This is a healthy and productive way to interact with motivation. 

10. Take care of your body. 

Taking care of yourself is the key to being more healthy and productive. You wouldn’t expect your computer to work perfectly if it had the oldest software, a dozen bugs, and a million apps running at the same time, right? The same thing goes for your body. If it is not in a healthy state, don’t expect it to be able to be amazingly productive. Drink your water, eat your vegetables, and try to exercise a few times a week. Yoga and meditation are also great ways to take better care of your body and your mind. Remember to thank yourself for all the hard work you are putting in. 

So there you have it, ten habits to keep yourself healthy and productive. You can now start by trying one of them at a time or maybe diving right into it and updating your entire daily routine. No matter where you decide to begin, these simple habits will make a positive impact on your life. Try them, adjust them, and make them work for you.