Living well
Seven steps: how to increase your energy and productivity at work

How often have you found yourself saying: ‘There are never enough hours in the day’? With longer and longer to-do lists that include work, family and personal goals, it can sometimes feel like we never have the energy to get things done.
Staying energized, focused and productive can seem impossible, especially during the mid-afternoon slump that we all go through. So here are seven of my favourite things you can do to help stay energised and productive throughout the day.
Multitasking is not possible so don’t even try! When you try to do more than one task at once, your brain constantly flicks between them, resulting in neither of them being done well. Your brain just can’t handle more than one task at a time. So prioritise one task and complete it to the best of your abilities before moving on to the next task.
Work out the level of stimulation that suits you best. People are broadly defined as either extroverts, who get their energy from being around other people, or introverts, who prefer quiet and solitude to recharge. Open plan offices are everywhere, which can be difficult for introverts, who find the hustle and bustle distracting. Meanwhile, extroverts can find a silent office not stimulating enough. Monitor how you’re feeling and take a cue from there. Try to work from home for some peace and quiet for example, or work from a local coffee shop if you need a background hum of noise.
The last thing you want to hear when you have too much on your plate is to take care of your diet and exercise. However this is vital to performing at your best. Certain foods aid brain power and concentration. And exercise has been shown to have immediate positive effects on mood and mental sharpness. Taking just 20 minutes to go for a run or plan your meals for the week could be time you get back in increased productivity.
Do you know how healthy you truly are? Bupa health assessments give you a clear overview of your health. You’ll receive a personalised lifestyle action plan with health goals to reach for a healthier, happier you.
More living well articles...
Bupa health insurance
Bupa health insurance aims to provide you with the specialist care and support you need, as quickly as possible. Find out how you could benefit.
Our latest blog posts
Legal disclaimer
This information was published by Bupa's Health Content Team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been reviewed by appropriate medical or clinical professionals. Photos are only for illustrative purposes and do not reflect every presentation of a condition.
The information contained on this page and in any third party websites referred to on this page is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice nor is it intended to be for medical diagnosis or treatment. Third party websites are not owned or controlled by Bupa and any individual may be able to access and post messages on them. Bupa is not responsible for the content or availability of these third party websites. We do not accept advertising on this page.
For more details on how we produce our content and its sources, visit the 'About our health information' section.