How do you feel the moment you sit down in front of your work desk? Do you feel energized and motivated to work? Or do you feel sluggish, tired and unfocused?
Our brain performance can be improved by creating a positive, mind- enhancing surrounding. Unfortunately for many of us, the surroundings we have for our mental battles are dark, noisy, and extremely disorganized. It’s filled with things that take our attention away from work, instead of helping us stay on top of it. We aim for peak mental performance, but our surroundings do not support it.
Whether you’re working from home or not, it is important to design a working space that makes you feel excited to learn and work. You’re spending at least 40 hours a week in that space and you better make sure it’s a space you love to be in.
Want to know how I stay focused and productive even when working from home? Here are my favorite hacks for improving any working environment..
Natural Light Light is the first thing to consider. The greatest and healthiest source of light is, of course, natural light. This is because it contains a wide range of wavelengths that affect your biological clock, hormone balance, and metabolism.
Work near a window or invest in a good lighting setup around your desk. A bright workspace will keep you awake and focused at the task at hand.
Classical Music The second is sound. Research has shown that Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major lead to improved focus and better performance. Famously dubbed the ‘Mozart effect,’ there are many claims about the benefits of listening to classical music, Mozart in particular.
Upon reflection, perhaps all those Mozart pieces I have learned on piano for more than 10 years during my schooling days helped me bag those top honours in the class. Maybe it was my mother’s strategy all along!
Aromatherapy
Most of us live in urban surroundings filled with poor air quality . Although, we may not have the ability to change the air outside, we can do a small difference in the area where we spend the most of our time.
One of the simplest and affordable ways to freshen the air around our working space is through aromatherapy. A study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience showed that inhaling lavender essential oil before doing math problems helped subjects complete the problem faster and more accurately, while inhaling rosemary essential oil helped individuals be more alert.
On the other hand, peppermint is my personal favorite as it seems to enhance alertness, focus and concentration. If you can, invest in a high quality humidifier and create a routine of turning it on when you’re about to start work. Before you know it, your brain will automatically associate the scent and cue you to start working.
Audit your workspace and see how you can add more nature and life to it. Plants are a good addition if you can maintain it, otherwise it will become another distraction. Endeavor to remove as much clutter as you can and keep only the essentials at your desk.
Do you want to boost your team’s productivity and enable them to reach their peak performance? Check out Mental Rockstar Academy’s Online Events and contact YuJin for a personalized keynote or event for your team.
