If you are reading this, then chances are that you find yourself struggling to focus at work. You are not alone. Whether you work in a fast-paced environment where you’re constantly switching between tasks, or you seem to have more days stuck doing mundane tasks, everyone experiences a lack of focus at times. In this blog post, we’ll explore different ways that you can boost your cognitive performance and keep your focus at work.
Create A Workspace That Inspires Focus
Your office configuration can significantly impact how much you can do every day. With that in mind, you should make an effort to create a workspace that inspires focus. How?
Lighting
Adequate lighting can affect your ability to focus. But depending on your work environment, you may feel there is little you can do to change the lighting. If you have a dark office with little natural light, use a lamp at your desk with daylight bulbs. Not only will you boost your mood, but your focus will also improve.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
Do you find the sound of your colleagues typing or talking distracting? Consider investing in some noise-canceling headphones for those times when you need to focus at work. Many of these headphones are inconspicuous and are enabled with Bluetooth, allowing you to turn on white noise, classical music, or the jam you danced to in high school. Wherever your tastes may lie, music can inspire greater concentration.
Check Your Ergonomics
An ergonomic workspace can directly affect your ability to focus. Buy an ergonomic chair that will keep you sitting up straight, or consider a standing desk. Check that your monitor settings are optimized for concentration and keep your keyboard and mouse at a comfortable height that prevents repetitive strain injuries. The small details can make a difference when you are trying to focus at work.
De-Clutter Your Space
The more cluttered your desk is, the less focused you’ll be. Ensure you have plenty of space and attempt to keep your desk uncluttered as much as possible. A little time spent organizing your space may make a huge difference in your focus level later.
Break to Stretch
Unfortunately, working in an office increases the risk of developing a sedentary lifestyle. While this doesn’t automatically lead to poor health, focusing can be more challenging. When you spend hours sitting, your muscles become tense and lose their elasticity. If you don’t break from this position, you’ll find it difficult to stay focused throughout the day.
Here are a few ways to include stretching in your daily routine: if you have a desk job, get up for a few minutes every hour. If you work in a busy office, you might want to break up your day into two or three-hour blocks and take a short break every time. Stretch, walk around, check in with a colleague at the water cooler, or take a restroom break. The key is to have regular movement throughout the day.
Try Meditation and Breathing Exercises
If you’re feeling stressed and anxious, you’re much less likely to be able to focus. For this reason, researchers at the Columbia School of Professional Study found that breathing and meditation – specifically mindfulness, concentrative fixation, and movement – can increase focus and attention span. Many apps are available to get you started, including the popular Headspace and Calm.
Reach for Water
The health benefits of staying hydrated by drinking enough water each day are indisputable. But did you know that staying hydrated can also improve your brain function? Even slight dehydration can result in poor focus at work, slower information processing, memory loss, irritability, and headaches. This is one of the reasons so many Colorado businesses install purified water dispensers in the workplace. Hydrated employees equal productive employees.
The Role of Coffees and Teas
Drinking tea and coffee at work is a staple of office life. Both drinks contain caffeine, which stimulates brain activity and can substantially impact our ability to focus at work. Of course, balance is needed because too much caffeine can make you lose concentration. Ideally, your business should look for well-stocked break room solutions with regular and decaffeinated coffees and teas.
Conclusion: You Can Improve Your Focus At Work
If you find yourself distracted when you should be concentrating on the task at hand, these five brain-boosting tips for focus at work should help. Optimize your workspace for focus, take regular breaks to stretch and practice mindfulness, drink enough water, and utilize coffee and tea to keep you alert. When you focus at work, you can accomplish more and feel less stress throughout the day.
Colorado Pure has been helping Colorado businesses and their employees get more done for the past 25 years. Our office coffee delivery service can keep your break room stocked with a wide variety of coffees, teas, snacks, and deliciously purified water.
Take the first, easy step today: Speak to one of our staff to arrange for your free in-office consultation.
