Work productivity fluctuates on a daily basis. Here are some simple things you can do to get off the hamster wheel.

Five days a week 8-9 hours a day and productivity sometimes comes and goes. Some days you feel like you’re on fire, getting everything done on time, while others feel like a completely different story. And just because you are working longer hours, doesn’t mean you are more productive. It is better to make use of day and stay as focused as possible.

While you should always treat yourself with some compassion, it is possible to get out of work ruts by making some changes. Big changes like buying new work desks and switching up your work schedule can work, but small and consistent changes can also add up and make a difference. Here are the best small ways to improve work productivity.

Know what works and what doesn’t about your work setup

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If you want to know what’s not working about your work setup, write down a list of your routines every day. If you have a particularly productive day, write down what you did, whether you worked on a couch,  with headphones, made all the calls in the morning, or only took meetings in the afternoon. Small patterns can help you come up with a better work routine and can help you avoid certain situations that are not your most productive.

Start by completing one task

The best habit  is to get one task done and at a time. Usually, the first task is the most difficult, and once you’re past the biggest hurdle you feel like you’ve accomplished more. Make a to-do list and slowly go through the items on your list or write down all of your plans on a calendar. These small activities can help you get out of your slump and feel more productive.

Clean your desk

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Work desks are very some of the fastest household items to get messed up, especially when working from home. If you find yourself procrastinating, organize it. Clean and dispose of all your coffee cups, organize your pens, stow away extra notebooks, etc. Switching up the positioning of your desk can also work, reinvigorating your work space and perhaps giving you a better view.

Clean your emails

Another simple and mindless task you can do is to clean up your emails. Organize them according to their purpose and delete all of the junk. Unsubscribing from websites you don’t visit and stores you’re not interested in is also a great use of your time, giving you something to do and the feeling like you’re getting your life together. You have to start somewhere.

It is hard to avoid some of the negative news lately, but too much can be rough for you…here is some help to not get trapped with Doomscrolling

In the past, it was fairly easy to avoid constant bad news.  But in today’s tech  media world, it is difficult. Not only do you have legit news companies, you have clickbait and it seems tons of people feel to share their every thought on everything on social media.  What happened to sharing happy cat photos? Getting trapped in the rabbit hole of doomscrolling can truly mess with your mind.

Doomscrolling is getting trapped in scrolling bad news and not able to break away. Constant or frequent doomscrolling can wreck havoc on your mental health and/or your mood.  It reinforces negative thoughts and feelings. If you already trend toward depression or anxiety or are working through a mental health issue, it can exacerbate the issue.  Doomscrolling can increase these issue far beyond expectations. Often it lead to irritability, lack of productivity, poor concentration and mental fatigue.

Here are the 5 best ways to break the dommscrolling habit.

Set boundaries

Some people want to see the news, what’s happening and just browse online. The issue is when the boundaries are ignored and you spend large amounts of time in a negative space.  In addition, with algorithms, you are fed more pieces around your focus. Thus, the more bad news you read, the more you will receive. It can make it seem there is nothing doom news.  It is important to set boundaries. Set a limit to scroll news for 20 minutes and look at at least X articles on positive/interesting news during the period.  At first it may seem hard, but it will help with perspective and change up your feed.

Seek good news

If you’re having a tough time staying away from social media, make sure you engage in positive things whenever you’re scrolling. Follow happy, interesting, enlightening accounts which lift you up and puts you in touch with things you enjoy. Start following your hobby or passion.  There seems to be an endless supply on Lego, cooking, pets and more online.

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Limit triggers

If politics are making you anxious, try blocking these topics for a time, at least until you’re in a better headspace to consume them. Use all of the tools at your disposal – block push notifications, mute people who get intense on social media and avoid topics which rile you. One effective method of filtering out news is to subscribe to a newsletter and use it as your main source of information.

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Socialize

Live interaction can totally change your mood. Even a 5 minute call or a short walk can lift your spirits and improve your mental health. The interaction engages parts of your mind which can calm your anxiety.  Talking with a live friend promotes a sense of belong and security and helps balance your

Meditate

If you’re feeling too caught up in negative feelings and need something to recenter yourself, try meditating. Use a guided app and disconnect from screens for a session which hopefully makes you feel present and can prevent you from going to an anxious place.