Guest Post by Tracie Johnson
In order to achieve your daily, weekly, and long-term goals, you have to have a positive attitude, be in a great mood consistently and have intrinsic motivation so as to have optimum productivity.
However, as a human being, you are bound to get exhausted, have personal or work-related issues that may take a toll on you, and generally, a day or two occasionally, when your mood just isn’t right.
While it is normal to feel weary and not put your best foot forward during challenging times and on days when you are not as enthusiastic and motivated about your goals, there are several habits you can incorporate to elevate your mood and continuously achieve productivity.
Let’s explore some top habits you can start doing today to better your moods and get yourself back on track.
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1. Get Enough Sleep
More often than not, inadequate sleep or sleep deprivation results in negative moods in the activities you are engaged in the following day.
Getting well rested should not be overlooked despite workloads, deadlines, or a workaholic nature.
Uninterrupted and enough sleep is associated with enhanced cognitive function and better concentration, which results in more productivity and better moods.
Additionally, lack of enough sleep may result in clinical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and stress, all of which can be averted by simply having regular sleep patterns for a minimum of six to eight hours.
For those who have difficulties sleeping, medication and other solutions, including using an aromatherapy sleep inhaler, will come in handy in helping you get enough undisturbed sleep, just like other people.
2. Spend Time Away From Your Phone
While phones are a great asset to have, as they allow us to connect virtually and communicate frequently from remote locations, most people have become addicted to their phones and can hardly spend time away from them.
As a result, people are comparing themselves negatively to others on social media platforms, which has undoubtedly been shown to alter moods negatively and even lead to stress.
In addition, spending a lot of time on your phone leads to time wastage, lack of concentration, poor service delivery, and unproductivity, which can lead to strains at the workplace.
It is also evident that spending too much time on the phone leads to poor interactions when socializing with others.
Being deliberate about spending time away from your phone can significantly increase productivity and get you in a great mood over time.
Reducing the time you spend on your phone should be gradual, incremental, and not abrupt, as cutting out a big chunk of the time you spend on your phone at once is bound to have a negative instead of a positive impact on your well-being.
3. Spend Time Outside or in Nature
If you are a freelancer or constantly work remotely, it is not uncommon to spend your entire day indoors.
Boredom and stress can creep in due to a lack of change in the environment and spending too much time alone.
It is easy to get caught up in work and routine, especially when you have food, groceries, and other commodities delivered and have amenities such as a gym right where you live.
Being intentional about taking walks, running, or simply going to a park and basking in the sun could work wonders for your moods and, in extension, give you that extra boost when you get back to your work.
Getting into the fresh air can significantly improve your mental health as well as physical health, as you are more active and consume plenty of vitamin D.
A change of routines such as meeting up with friends for lunch regularly, grabbing tea or coffee outside every morning, or taking an evening stroll will, by all means, get you to become more productive, in better shape, and on the overall lead to happier, more fulfilling days.
4. Eat Nutritious Meals
It all starts with the kind of breakfast you have as one of your morning habits if you are going to function at your peak and stay in a good mood.
What you put in your body significantly affects your mental and physical health; hence, being careful and purposeful about that is of the essence.
A well-balanced and satisfying breakfast keeps your energy levels high, ensuring you are undistracted by hunger pangs.
Additionally, eating healthy meals ensures quality sleep and keeps your concentration levels high.
Dopamine, a brain chemical shed when you engage in a pleasurable activity, is also released when you consume proteins such as fish, eggs, beans, beef, turkey, and chicken.
Dopamine and norepinephrine, which are also released upon consumption of such foods, have significant effects on motivation and mood.
5. Do the Things That You Sincerely Enjoy
You could get caught up in activities that you find zero pleasure in and no genuine satisfaction when doing.
Constantly pursuing such activities only leaves you unmotivated, resentful, and easily exhausted.
Such an activity could be income-generating, a hobby that a friend pursues you to undertake despite you not enjoying it, or any other activity that differs from your interests.
While most of these activities could be productive and beneficial, they are likely to leave you worn out and stressed, which should not be the case with an activity you engage in frequently or daily.
Passions are an innate part of every human being, and whether you enjoy taking long walks, playing guitar, or cooking, engaging in such activities is going to lighten up your moods.
6. Affirmations, Gratitude, and Writing
It is often said that the conversation that you hold with yourself is the most important and that the simple habits practiced consistently are the ones that make a difference.
A morning routine that incorporates affirmations is a daily reminder of who you are as a person and what you aim to achieve.
Doing this will boost your confidence and get you in the right mood to take the day on.
On the other hand, practicing gratitude, especially as part of your evening routine, leaves you happier and more content, which makes you more productive the following day.
Lastly, writing down your thoughts and goals and having a to-do list ensures that you are focused, productive, and filled with positivity.
7. Keep Your Environment Neat
Making your bed, washing the dishes, and cleaning dirty laundry are some relatively easy and often overlooked activities that greatly impact your mood and productivity.
Getting your surroundings in order shows good organization, which reflects in other activities you undertake throughout the day.
Doing this daily leads to habit formation and sets a positive tone for your day.
Plus, a clean space always comes in handy if you want to maintain good health, which is vital for optimum productivity.
Closing Thoughts
Being more productive is largely determined by mood.
Elevating your moods does not require spending large sums of money or engaging in some mind-boggling activity.
Inculcating simple habits in your life and consistently doing them will ensure that your mental and physical states stay in great condition, as they are primary determinants of productivity.
Implementing the tips mentioned above will come in handy if you want a head start to make your days and goals more worthwhile.
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Author Bio
Tracie Johnson is a New Jersey native and an alumna of Penn State University. Tracie is passionate about writing and living a healthy lifestyle. She feels happiest when around friends, family, and her Dachshund Rufus.
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