Jan 13
2
At work, there are times when we just don’t have the energy or motivation to do anything. It seems like we’ve lost our desire to perform, even the things that we love to do. What should you do in times like these? Here are a few things you might want to consider. These activities are short and can be completed in 20 minutes or less.
A Splash of Water
If you work at home or you’re still home and you notice that you’re not in the slightest mood to work, quickly get in the shower. I find that showering always helps me get in the mood for work. It wakes me up and washes all that nostalgia away.
Now, I did mention that the activities can be completed in 20 minutes tops, so you don’t have to go all out for this activity. The goal is to get some water on you so that you’ll wake up and get moving. Although, you can certainly extend and shower at your own pace, with all the shampooing, body scrubbing, and whatnot. That can set you in the best mood too, since you’ll feel clean, light, soft, and refreshed.
Another alternative to showering, if you’re already in the office, is splashing your face with water. Go to the toilet, run water on your hands, and dab your wet hands on your face. The likely feeling you’ll experience is the cold and refreshing feel of the water. That alone can work. If that’s not enough, fill your hands with water and splash it on your face. Then, look at the mirror, tap your cheeks twice with your palms, and do a breather by inhaling deeply and exhaling in a forceful manner. If you perform this style of breathing, after patting your face, it will give you encouragement to work and get through the day in one piece. If you were to picture it out, after splashing your face with water, and patting your cheeks, you take a deep breath then say: “Hoo! I can do this!”
Get Out
It’s a common method of regaining your energy for work, but it sure works. The method I’m referring to is getting out of your office and taking a 15 minute walk. Emphasis is given on outside so that you can breathe fresh air and not cause any disturbance in the office with all your walking about. Now then, the ideal spot to do this is practically anywhere outside your office. If there’s a park near your building, head straight for that spot because that would be a perfect place for this activity. However, if there aren’t any parks, a side walk or walk way is enough.
For this activity, all you really need to do is be outside. You can take a leisurely walk for a few minutes and then, sit on a bench and breathe that fresh air. No congested cold air from the air conditioner, just all natural oxygen, with a little bit of smog here and there. Joking aside, as long as you get a good breeze outside, you’re good to go.
You can also do this on your building’s rooftop, if you’re allowed to go there. You can walk around there and you can most definitely get some fresh air, and perhaps even a little bit of quiet.
Rehydrate
Drink something cold! It can be a refreshing slush, juice drink, or simply plain water. When I was a bit younger, I wasn’t fond of drinking water. However, when I started drinking more water, I found myself becoming less sluggish.
Drinking water and any liquid for that matter is very invigorating. Do you know that refreshing feeling you get when you drink cold water on a particularly hot day? You’ll probably get the same sensation when you drink something cool and refreshing in your state of lethargy. As a result, you’ll be in a better mood to work.
Eat Something
Since the problem here is that you feel lethargic and you are not in the mood to work, perhaps eating something delicious can help turn your mood around. Eat something to fuel your brain, but try to avoid sweets because then you might feel even more lethargic. Try fruits and fruit salads. You can go for banana, apple, grapes, mango, orange, and others. Choose fruits that fit your diet and go well with your taste buds. Aside from fruits, you can also eat yogurt.
Now, if the problem is lethargy, why not drink coffee? Yes, it works and it most definitely wakes you up, but an apple, for example, does the same without the side effects of regular coffee. Go for the healthier route if you decide to cure your lethargy through food.
Play a Casual Game
Play a casual game, but not more than a few minutes, or else it will amount to procrastination. Sometimes, a little break is what you need. Something to take your mind off the repetitiveness of work, and the boredom it causes. However, I emphasize the word little because too much of playing games will lead to addiction, which equates to procrastination.
Games are made for a reason. It’s not just there for entertainment, but its main purpose is to give the mind an interesting task to do so that it will remain active while getting some rest from what you consider work. To explain it more clearly, basically, while you’re playing games, you’re brain is still working hard and won’t lose its edge or fall to lethargy. However, since you’re having fun, even though you’re brain is hard at work and is kept active, your emotional and mental state is simultaneously relieved, and relaxed while staying stimulated.
After a small break, you can then return to your work with renewed gusto. Examples of casual games that I like to do during a break are: Beware Planet Earth, Solitaire, Scribblenauts, and Text Twist. These games are refreshing and allow my mind to think in a different way than the way I do when working. This variation then allows me to renew my zest for completing my tasks.
There are various other methods that you can try to put you in the best mood to work. Aside from the methods mentioned in this article, what do you do when you don’t feel like working? Share your methods below.
About Jorge Blanco
Personal Development Junkie. Expert on Goal Setting, Time, Project, and Life Management. Master Strategist and Planner. Passionate Entrepreneur.
Author of Design Your Life: 5 Steps To Create The Life You Want, a complete guide to making a positive change in your life, and living a life by design. Now available on the Kindle Store
