MODERN THINKING higher productivity , research has shown how taking a short humour break to watch a YouTube clip can double productivity .
Talk to your colleagues . Face to face conversation far outweighs the benefit ( and tedium ) of quick and prolific emails . With 205 billion emails being sent around the planet each day , how much time and energy could be saved using dialogue or debate to solve problems more quickly , and enhance mutual respect , empathy and understanding ? Social interaction is the best way to share new ideas , knowledge or concerns when the working environment is deemed safe to do so .
Move it . Taking time out from our work schedule to go to the gym , run around the block or attend a Pilates class might appear to be time wasted but studies have shown how
15 minutes of exercise is energizing and primes the brain for greater attention , focus and positive mood .
Take a nap . Over 6 % of American workplaces are now deemed nap friendly . Rather than being frowned on , falling asleep at your desk is now seen as an indicator of a tired brain needing rest . A 20-minute power nap can boost attention by up to 40 %, improving memory , decision-making , motor skills and mood while decreasing stress levels . Organisations that rely on a high level of innovation and creativity such as Google , Nike and Huffington Post now provide nap areas for staff to take a short sleep to boost cognition .
Take time out to think . While being busy ticking off items from our to-do lists feels rewarding , taking time out to press pause for 15 minutes can be the most productive time of your day . Quiet reflection is the thinking space your brain needs for deeper thought . Going for a little mind wander is ideal time for your brain to come up with our best ideas , insights and decisions .
Dr . Jenny Brockis the Brain Fitness Doctor is the author of Future Brain : The 12 Keys to Create Your High- Performance Brain ( Wiley ) available online and at all good bookstores . www . drjennybrockis . com
November 2016 ModernBusiness 37