Let’s face it, the summertime means vacation vibes, hanging with friends, and chilling on the beach. But here’s another truth: our bills don’t stop during the Summer, and unless you are a trust-fund baby, you need to continue to get paid. So how do you stay focused and avoid the Summer slump at work? Here are six tips for doing just that:
1. Find Your Balance
All work and no play will leave you feeling summertime-fun-deprived, so it is important to find your balance. Make sure your week is filled with not only work duties but also many fun things to do so you don’t feel bummed out that you have to work. Also, the fact that the sun is up longer during the Summer allows you to have many after-work functions without having to play hooky.
2. Plan Your Day
It is easy to fall into a slump if you allow the day to control you instead of you controlling it. Make sure you plan your day early so that you can schedule in some time for fun. When you have the day planned out, it allows you to dictate what parts of your day will be focused on work and when you can take a break. Schedule lunch breaks and enjoy the sun throughout the day. Also, try to arrive at work earlier so you can leave earlier, if permitted.
3. Do More Work
This may sound counterintuitive, but doing more work is important in order to not fall into a slump. The more idle time you have, the more opportunity your brain gets to wander and wish it was somewhere else. Do your best to stay busy. It’s still important to take breaks in between, but in a structured way.
4. Dress Appropriately
Summertime work slump also occurs when you are uncomfortable. Your workplace may be a bit cold from the AC, but the heat outside may be too intense to allow going to work in a full suit (talk about a conundrum), and taking the extra step to assure your comfortability is important for your productivity. If you get to work drenched in sweat or freezing from the AC, your mind will not be too happy and you will probably get very little done. Instead, make sure that you leave appropriate clothes at your job in order to accommodate for both extremes.
5. Stay Organized
Desk clutter can cause serious anxiety and overwhelm you, and this added stress at the workplace can be demotivating (especially when it’s hot). Taking the time to get organized and focused is totally worth it.
6. Exercise in the Morning
Morning exercise is said to give you more energy during the day. Instead of relying on your daily cup of joe to provide the boost you need to get through, you can go for a light jog or do some strength training to keep you more alert and productive at work. While your coffee may provide some temporary relief, the crash that comes with it may not add to your cause. Exercise will give you the natural and good energy you need. And if you don’t have a gym membership, don’t worry — there are plenty of ways to work out without paying for one.
Note: Original article posted on Popsugar. Click here for original
