The sky is gray and glowering. A chill wind has stripped the bare. A slow, steady drizzle taps relentlessly against the windowpane. And, all you want to do is burrow beneath the covers and snooze the day away.
But you can’t. You’ve got bills to pay, mouths to feed, and a roof to keep over your head — that means that lazing the day away isn’t an option.
Instead of mainlining the Red Bull or eating your body weight in chocolate-covered espresso beans, though, you need to find healthier and more effective ways to stay productive on a gloomy fall day.
Fuel Your Body and Your Mind
When it’s cold and dreary outside, it can be tempting to turn to the comfort foods you’ve always loved. From sweet treats to decadent (and fatty) entrees, it’s easy to overindulge when you’re bored, tired, and craving warmth and pleasure.
But those naughty autumn delights can leave you feeling even more sluggish than before because they lack the nutrients needed to fuel your body and stimulate your mind. So instead of diving into foods loaded with sugar, salt, and fat, look for meals and snacks that will boost your body’s frequency, giving you both the stamina and the focus you need to be productive throughout the day.
This would include, for instance, “high frequency” foods such as leafy greens, lean meats, and fresh herbs and spices.
Get On Your Feet!
Whether you’re working in an office or at home, it can be easy to become dangerously sedentary. Sitting for long periods of time can lead to a variety of health concerns like poor mobility, muscle deterioration, and even spider veins. Not only is that bad for your overall physical and mental health, but it can also be catastrophic for your productivity.
That’s why you should consider outfitting your workspace with a standing desk. By spending at least part of the day working from a standing position, you’ll strengthen your bones and muscles while also getting the blood flowing. Your organs, including your heart and brain, will receive more oxygen and you’ll feel more alert and energized in general.
The key to using a standing desk, though, is to trick it out with the accessories you need to manage the cables and cut down on the clutter. Accessories such as an adjustable computer monitor arm and cable trays and sleeves can help you keep cords organized and out of the way no matter how often you adjust your desk for sitting or standing.
Keep a Consistent Room Temperature
Perhaps one of the best ways to avoid the dreaded autumnal lethargy is to create the right ambient environment. If the temperature in the room is too cold, you’ll be too uncomfortable to focus and produce. On the other hand, if the temperature is too warm, pretty much all you’re going to want to do is sleep.
So aim for the Goldilocks temperature setting — not too hot and not too cold — and keep it there. If the room temperature is consistent, your body won’t be wasting precious energy trying to warm you up or cool you down. If you’re working from home, consider installing a smart thermostat, as this will ensure that the room temperature remains stable throughout your workday.
Similarly, if you are aiming to save on energy bills or simply cozy up, consider layering yourself in fleece clothing to stay warm. This will allow you to keep your heating bill low without getting distracted by the cold. Don’t be afraid to wear some of your insulated outdoor gear indoors!
Set Your Routine and Stick to it
If you’re working from home, one of the biggest productivity challenges you can face is the lack of a set routine. When you don’t have a manager or colleagues monitoring your every move, the temptation to grab that little cat nap or simply lose yourself in daydreams as you gaze out the window at the softly falling leaves can be too great to resist.
However, if you establish a clear, consistent, and comprehensive routine, then you can make even the laziest of fall days more productive. A timer will be your best friend in this regard because it serves as a tangible reminder (and subtle enforcer) of your designated daily schedule.
When you’re creating your workday routine, though, it’s also imperative that you set aside break periods throughout your day and you adhere to them. After all, your mind, body, and spirit need rest to recharge and refocus. So ensure that you’re giving yourself at least two or three short breaks, as well as a longer rest period for eating, moving around, and simply decompressing.
The Takeaway
Staying productive on a gloomy fall day isn’t always easy, but it is possible with a bit of strategy and effort. The key is to ensure that you’re nourishing your body with the fuel it needs to remain energized and focused. You also need to create an environment that stimulates productivity, including maintaining a consistent room temperature.
In addition, it’s important to get up and move around throughout the day, using equipment such as a standing desk with cable management accessories to help you. Finally, you need to establish a healthy and productive workday routine that includes regular break periods throughout the day. Armed with these tips, you can be sure to keep the workflow humming no matter how dreary the weather!
