3 Simple Ways to Recharge Your Body

When it comes to being productive, your body is just as important as your brain. If you don’t care for your body, you’ll have a hard time finding the motivation to get through your day. You’ll experience decreased energy and be more likely to feel sluggish and tired.

The best way to get back into your normal productive routine is to recharge your body. You’ll find it easier to tackle your work with motivation and you’ll be able to give your full attention to all of the projects on your plate. While there are many ways you can recharge, here are three of the most popular ways.

Take a power nap

A power nap is a short nap that enables you to wake up feeling refreshed. The trick with a power nap is the timing. If you don’t nap long enough, then you may feel groggy upon waking. If you nap too long, then you’ll have a tough time getting to sleep when it’s bedtime.

Many people find that the best length of a power nap is between fifteen and twenty minutes. For even better results, stick to a regular nap schedule. Most doctors advise taking your power nap in the middle of the day. This will allow you to get the benefits of a power nap without it wrecking your sleep cycle.

Treat yourself to a massage

Many business owners spend a significant part of their day in front of a computer. When you sit all day like this, it’s easy to overwork the muscles in your neck and shoulders. That’s why it can be helpful to get a shoulder or neck massage.

Besides helping your muscles, a massage is an excellent way to increase your blood circulation and getting one will make you feel more alert. It’s also helpful if you suffer from chronic pain due to a medical condition like fibromyalgia or arthritis. You can opt for a day trip to the local spa or you could find a massage therapist online through a website like American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).

Go on a mini retreat

A retreat is a chance to withdraw from everything around you. It gives you the space to reflect on your priorities and sort through your emotions. A mini retreat might be just what your body needs if you’ve been experiencing a difficult time such as the diagnosis of an illness, the loss of a loved one, or another catastrophe.

Your mini retreat doesn’t have to last long. You can choose to have your own private retreat for just a few hours. Try to pick a place or a series of places that you can go where you feel safe and comfortable. For some people, a safe place might be a library, church, or museum.

Remember that in many ways your body is like your car. It can get you to your destination but it does need regular care and maintenance in order to operate well.

Achieve Inner Peace and Focus with These 6 Strategies

It’s difficult to stay productive when your brain is buzzing. You have so many ideas and thoughts in your head that it’s tough to focus on your to do list. But you don’t have to let the mental noise ruin your productivity. You can quiet your brain by doing a few simple things then you’ll be able to return to work with focus and clarity.
Start a journal
When your mind is buzzing, try writing down your thoughts in a journal. This exercise will help you empty your mind so that your brain is free to focus again. Once you’ve finished with your thoughts, write about the benefits that finishing your tasks for the day will bring you. By writing about your tasks, you’ll be able to sort through and pick which ones are the most important to you.

Try coloring

Coloring for half an hour is a great way to let go of mental clutter. Allow your thoughts to come as you focus on the design of your coloring sheet. Besides helping calm your brain, coloring also allows you to get into a creative mindset. That makes it a great activity if you’re trying to come up with a solution to a problem or seeking inspiration for a project you’re working on. If you dislike coloring, you might try doodling instead. You’ll still get the same benefits as coloring.

If you haven't colored in a while, you might need a new coloring book. Check out these by my friend Pop Art Diva!


Practice yoga

Yoga is another great way to calm your mind. It’s effective because it allows you to get fully in tune with your body. If other thoughts try to interrupt you, push them away and focus on your current pose. You don’t have to buy an expensive DVD to practice yoga. There are many yoga videos available for free on YouTube.

Take a walk

Taking a walk, even a short one, is helpful when your brain is buzzing. Not only does walking get you away from your desk, it’s also a great way to relieve stress. You can powerwalk or jog if you prefer that to a leisurely pace. But be choosy with your location. Busy streets can make it hard for you to focus and relax. Instead, opt for quiet streets or walk at local park that you enjoy visiting.

Meditate

Meditation is a quick way to calm your mind and body. Get into a comfortable position and focus on your breathing. Take slow breaths and feel your body move as you inhale and exhale. Release any conscious thoughts as they come to you. If you’re new to meditation, it can be helpful to choose an object or word to focus on during your session.

Take a hot bath

A hot bath is the perfect way to calm an overactive brain. Besides helping you relax, a warm bath can also improve circulation and ease tense muscles. After you’re finished soaking, try to take a quick shower with lukewarm or cold water. This wakes your body up and energizes you so that you’re ready to tackle the rest of your to do list.

When your brain is buzzing, don’t try to work despite it. Instead, acknowledge how you feel right now and try one of the exercises listed above. Then you’ll be able to return to work with a focused mindset.

5 Refreshing Ways to Rehydrate Your Body and Boost Your Brainpower

Do you feel fatigued while you’re working? Do you frequently experience headaches or dizziness while you’re building your business? Do you find yourself feeling like your brain is in a haze as you struggle to think clearly?
These symptoms might sound scary at first. But they’re often caused by a simple medical condition known as dehydration. Dehydration happens when your body doesn’t have enough fluid. As a result, you may feel tired and achy. You can experience dry mouth, headaches, and even dizziness as a result of your dehydration.

The good news is that it’s easy to fix dehydration. You just need to drink a few glasses of liquid. Water is the best choice to rehydrate your system. Other beverages like coffee and soda contain caffeine, which can further dehydrate you. That’s why you should opt for water if at all possible.

But what if you hate the taste of water?

While some people believe water has no taste, others insist that it does have a boring flavor. If that describes you, then try one of these healthy options to mask the flavor of your water. You’ll still get the health benefits of drinking but without the taste you dislike.

Filter your water

Some water really does taste bad. That's because it's full of chemicals and/or pollutants. If you actually tasted pure, clean water, you might be surprised at how refreshing it really is.

The key is to find a way to filter your water that actually works and is affordable. There are plenty water filtration products that claim to work. Personally, I use the Puritii Water Bottle. I never drank water until I started using it. And they have lots of documentation to prove that it works better than anything else out there. Click here for more information.

Water and Lime

Lime is a great way to add flavor to your water. This mild citrus fruit is filled with Vitamin C and cancer fighting flavonoids. If you’re really craving a sweet taste, consider adding one teaspoon of raw honey to your lime water.

Cucumber and Apple Water

Combining cucumber and apple will give your water a sweet, refreshing taste. Cucumbers are an excellent source of several B vitamins while apples are known to fight diseases like Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.

Green Tea

If you’re still not a fan of water after trying to natural flavors provided by nature, then opt for green tea. Not only can green tea help rehydrate your body, scientists believe that it helps the body burn fat naturally.

Fresh Mint Tea

Like green tea, peppermint tea also boasts many health benefits. It can be useful in preventing nausea and reducing painful stomach cramps. Another advantage of drinking peppermint tea is that it’s a natural anti-inflammatory. If you have an autoimmune disease like arthritis, then it may be helpful to drink peppermint tea regularly.

When it comes to staying productive, your hydration level makes a huge difference. If you’re poorly hydrated, you won’t feel as well and your work may suffer. But drinking more water and tea throughout the day will help prevent this. As a result, you’ll feel energized and alert.

5 Energy Boosting Snacks to Recharge

If you’re a business owner working from home, you probably have easy access to all sorts of foods. From the pantry to your desk drawer, it’s easy to keep treats on hand when you work for yourself. It can be tempting to indulge your sweet tooth between meals or eat several servings of your favorite salty snacks in the afternoons.



But in order to keep your energy level up throughout the day, you need to choose healthy snacks. Healthy snacks are easier for your body to digest and can help you stay productive. These are the best foods to reach for when you start feeling hungry and need a quick snack.

Green Smoothies

Smoothies are an excellent way to get more fruits and vegetables in your diet. Not only will a smoothie nourish your body, it’s also a good source of vitamins and minerals. But read the labels for the green smoothies that are on store shelves. Some of them have added sugars or other ingredients that aren’t as healthy for you. Try to compare two or three brands to find the smoothies that taste the best and are the most nutritious.

Eggs

Eggs aren’t just for breakfast. They also make a great snack for fending off your mid-day munchies. Eggs are naturally packed with protein so you’ll feel full longer. There are many ways you can make eggs but one of the simplest ways is to hard-boil a few, peel them, and leave them in the fridge. Then next time you’re craving a snack, grab an egg. 

Soups with Legumes

Legumes are vegetables that are encased in a pod or shell, like green beans and peas. Legumes are rich in fiber, which prevents blood sugar spikes. When it comes to soups, it’s best to go homemade if possible. But if you decide to purchase ready-made soup, try to look for a low sodium option since sodium is a preservative that’s abundant in processed foods.

A healthy chocolate fix

Maybe it’s been one of “those kind of days” and you really just need a quick chocolate fix. Instead of reaching for your favorite brand of chocolate, try a healthier alternative like a chocolate banana smoothie. You still get the taste of chocolate but you also get the health benefits of a banana.

Fruit and Yogurt

Indulge your sweet tooth with a bit of fruit and yogurt. Yogurt is made from milk, which is a good source of protein. You might be tempted to grab a yogurt from the store shelf that already contains fruit. But that type of yogurt is likely to have added preservatives and extra sugar. That’s why it’s best to opt for plain yogurt and mix in your own fresh fruits. 

Running a business isn’t always easy. But eating healthy should be. Keep in mind that you don’t have to make everything from scratch. There are plenty of ready-made snacks that you can buy at your local grocery store. Compare labels on different products to make sure that you’re picking the most nutritious one.

Make your healthy snacks easy to reach for. Store the ingredients you need for a smoothie next to your blender. Precut your vegetables so you can just grab a serving and mix in some yogurt. In order to stay productive, you need to give your body healthy foods.

3 Reasons Why You Can't Get Into Productivity Mode

When it comes to running your own business, there’s always something productive you can be doing. But some days, you may find it difficult to get into your normal work rhythm. You may feel distracted and struggle to focus on your tasks. You may experience headaches or dizziness. You might also be feeling fatigued.

Instead of giving up and doing the whole "Netflix and chill" routine for the next few hours, it can helpful to check in with your body. When you stop to check in with yourself, you may find that a simple fix is all that’s required for getting back into your normal productive mode.

Here are three things that can disrupt your natural work flow:


Your body is hungry.

When you’re hungry, it’s hard to think things through and that makes decision making difficult. That’s why it’s important to take time to nourish your body. You wouldn’t set out on a road trip with an empty gas tank so don’t expect your body to perform at its very best when you’re denying it much needed fuel.

You can easily remedy this situation by getting something to eat. But steer clear of sugary snacks. They may give you a temporary burst of energy but that energy will be gone within a couple of hours, leaving your body just as hungry as before. Instead, try to opt for healthier snacks that contain plenty of protein like a handful of nuts or a serving of lean chicken breast.

If you're like me and you get so wrapped up in you're work that you forget to eat, try setting an alarm to remind you when it's time to take a break and eat! 

Your thoughts are scattered.

I have the attention span of a gnat! I'm a Gemini after all! You know what I mean. You go to work on one project but get distracted by another one. Then you decide to check your email and catch up on your social media updates. Before you know it, you have twelve different activities open on your screen.

When this happens, you might be experiencing a lack of focus. You have so many ideas and tasks that you don’t know where to start working. In this case, it’s best to pause and make a list. Write down everything you need to accomplish today or this week. Then prioritize these projects by numbering them. Your most important task should be number one. If you're not sure where to start, start there!

If you find that other tasks are still distracting you, try setting a time limit to work on each item on your list. Set an alarm to remind you when it's time to move to something different. When the alarm goes off you can decide to continue to work on your current task or if your focus is wandering and it's time for a change. 

Your body is exhausted.

There are many things that can cause you to feel exhausted besides a lack of sleep. Emotional stress, illness, chronic pain, and other problems can deplete your energy. When you’re exhausted, it’s hard to work on your business.

The best way to tackle exhaustion is to practice self-care. Look at your life and ask yourself what you really need right now. You might need a day off. You might need a sitter to help watch your kids while you work.

You might need to let go of stressful clients or remove projects that aren’t a good fit for your talents. Don’t hesitate to give yourself what you need. If you take good care of yourself, you’ll find it easier to nurture your business.

It’s important that you take time to check in with your mind and body a few times each day. When you do this regularly, you’ll begin to notice your body’s rhythms and be able to plan your work around them.

How to Be Organized - Use a Calendar!

I confess - I've missed a deadline or two.  Forgotten an appointment.  Paid a late fee.  You too?  If so, your calendar – or lack of it – is likely to blame.

I always resisted using a calendar, thinking it would be too difficult to manage, wouldn't be available when and where I needed it, or that it would make me inflexible. The truth is, setting up a calendar and using it can be almost completely automated, and when you take the time to schedule your work, you’ll actually find more freedom in your day, not less.

How many emails does it take to schedule an interview or coaching session?  I found the average to be three or four.  One to propose a time, another to say why that won’t work and to suggest others, sometimes a third with still more time options, and a final confirming email.

What a waste!

Instead, by using a shared calendar or appointment system such as TimeTrade, you can schedule meetings and appointments in one click.  Your client will see exactly what times are available, and be able to pick the one that works for her schedule as well.

You can achieve a similar system within your family by sharing a Google calendar.  Need to schedule a dentist appointment?   One quick check of the calendar lets you know your grandson has a soccer game that day – better choose a different day for that cleaning.

David Allen of Getting Things Done recommends using your calendar only for those things that must be done on a specific day.  Your calendar is not your to-do list, it’s a schedule of appointments. By only scheduling that which must be completed, such as doctor appointments and travel, you leave the rest of your days open for a more fluid lifestyle, while still completing tasks on time.

Day-to-day appointments and managing deadlines is great, but I also use my calendar for long-term planning.  Product launches, marketing schedules, blog posts and more are all written on my calendar.  That allows me to easily see what’s coming up,  I can even match my own products and promotions with those of others, for even greater reach.

Your marketing calendar can include everything from keywords to target for PPC campaigns to blog post ideas to products you’d like to create.  Your calendar doesn’t have to be carved in stone, though.  Be sure you leave room for on-the-fly promotions and last-minute opportunities as well.

If you still find yourself resisting using a calendar, outsource it!  My VA handles my calendar much more efficiently than I do!   She isn't distracted by other things going on in my life.  Not only that, but with someone else managing my calendar, I have more time for actually getting stuff done!

Wasting the Day Away on Social Media

You know they’re a huge time-waster, but somehow you just can’t pull yourself away from the latest Facebook drama or the beautiful photos of yummy desserts on Pinterest.  And your favorite celeb is just blowing up Twitter with her latest antics.  Besides, you make your living online.  The time you spend on social media is “work.”  Isn't it?  After all, everyone says you have to market your business on Facebook and Twitter and LinkedIn, right?

It's true that social media marketing is a powerful technique that all online (and offline) business owners should explore.  It’s also true that much of what we do on these sites is most definitely NOT work.  But separating the two is tough.

Not all social media is bad.  It’s a great way to stay in touch with far-flung family and friends, and yes, it’s an important business-building tool as well.  So rather than try to eliminate it all together, why not make it a regular, scheduled part of your day?

Catch up on your Facebook feed over your morning coffee, then log out and get to work!  Browse Pinterest while you eat lunch.  For actual work-related social media tasks, schedule a time during the work day to log in, update your status, respond to questions, and check up on your competitors.  The key is to actually schedule this as you would any other business-related task, and not to let this “work time” turn into a chat with your sister about holiday plans or a gossip session with friends.

One way successful entrepreneurs separate work from play is by the tools they use.  When on the computer in the office, they avoid social media sites because they are working.  Instead, they limit their use of social media to off hours by only visiting the sites on their mobile phones or tablets.  I rarely get on Twitter or Facebook on my computer.  I wait until I have some free time and then only use my phone.  (That's why I tend to "disappear" from time to time.  I'm so busy working that I don't have time to even get on my phone!) 

By adopting this type of policy, you create a boundary in your own mind.  After a few weeks of practice, hopefully you will no more think of hopping on Facebook from the office computer than you would consider wearing your bathrobe to the grocery store.  The two activities just don’t go together!

If you really can’t stay focused on work once you’ve logged into Twitter or Facebook (they’re just so distracting!) consider letting someone else handle your social media accounts.  You can create updates ahead of time, then simply turn them over to a virtual assistant to schedule.  Or use tools like SocialOomph to schedule your updates for the day or even the week.  Then once a day you can log in and respond to your followers.
 
Finally, if you’re not using social media as a marketing tool, consider taking a sabbatical. Simply make a deal with yourself that you will not log in or check any social media site for a month or a week or even just for a day. You might just be surprised to see how much time you really do waste playing Candy Crush.

The Distraction Free Workplace

Ask any boomerpreneur what their biggest hurdle is when it comes to tackling the to-do list and they will all likely tell you the same thing - it’s the constant distractions.  I'll bet it's also true for you.  The kids are calling you.  Email or social media notifications keep popping up.  The phone is ringing.  The dog needs fresh water.

The list goes on and on. It’s no wonder you can’t get anything done.

So how do you do it? You start by creating a distraction-free zone.  A place of your own.

Plenty of entrepreneurs got their start working from the kitchen table, stealing a few minutes here or an hour there when the kids are napping or during lunch.  But when the business begins to grow, it pretty quickly becomes clear that a laptop in the living room is not an efficient way to work.  It’s time to find a real office.

Now, that doesn’t mean you have to go rent space downtown!  If you run your business from home and want to keep it that way, you just need to carve out a space you can call your own.

For some, a spare bedroom makes an ideal office space.  For others, a corner of the basement or even a closet will do.  The key is to create a place where, when you’re in it, you - and everyone else - knows you’re working!   And perhaps more importantly, when you’re not in it, you can leave the work behind.

Of course, just having a nice quiet office with a door won’t eliminate all your distractions. There’s plenty of them right on your computer waiting to suck away all your work time.  How you deal with those will depend largely on the type of work you do.

For example, many writers find it beneficial to block out all other applications while they work.  Tools such as ByWord and OmmWriter eliminate the distractions by offering full-screen text editors that also lack all those formatting bells and whistles of a typical word processor.

Does the Internet call to you? Consider installing browser software such as LeechBlock (for Firefox) or StayFocused (for Chrome).  Both let you block certain sites (Facebook, for example) for specific periods of time.   If you want to get in a solid 3 hours of work before embarking on another Candy Crush tournament, just turn on your timer and you won’t be able to access Facebook at all until your work day is done.  You can do the same for any site that commands your attention, but keep in mind that if you have more than one browser installed on your computer, you can always click over to the unlocked choice to sneak a few minutes of play time in.

Now about that smartphone.  Since you can do almost anything on your phone that you can do on your computer, it can be one of the biggest distractions in your workspace.  If you don't need your phone, leave it in another room until you are finished working.  If course, there is always the exception for family emergencies.  If you can't put it aside, at least turn off all the social media and email notifications.

Speaking of family, they can also be a distraction, along with friends and neighbors.  While you want to actually eliminate them, you can reduce the time you spend interacting with them.  Make sure family members, including children, understand that when you are in your workspace with the door closed, you are to be disturbed only for emergencies or for something business-related.  Also do not allow yourself to get pulled into your friends or neighbors plans or problems.  Simply tell them you are working and you will be happy to catch up with them later.

Of course, the important thing to remember is that your environment is only the beginning.  You need to work on building up your self-discipline, so you can say no to distractions and get the work done!