Improve Focus At Work: 8 Ways To Stay On Track After Daylight Savings

Cyberloafing Monday: How Daylight Savings Time Hurts Productivity (And 8 Ways To Fight Back)
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Early Sunday morning, we lost an all-too-precious hour of sleep -- and today we're likely losing something else: productivity.

A recent study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology concluded that sleepy employees spend dramatically more time "cyber-loafing" -- or browsing the Internet in a way that's not related to work -- on the Monday after the start of daylight saving time. Looking at six years worth of Google data, the researchers found a marked spike in searches related to entertainment when compared to other Mondays during the year.

The researchers also conducted an experiment, where they found that the less people slept, the more likely they were to cyber-loaf when listening to a boring lecture.

So if you're struggling to stay on task today, take heart in the fact that you're not alone. Click through these eight strategies to keep yourself focused -- then be sure to hit the hay early tonight.

Cyberloafing
Eat Breakfast(01 of08)
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What we put in our bodies is, of course, incredibly important for our brains to perform their best. But breakfast, in particular, can set the tone for your waking hours, greatly influencing whether you feel focused or defeated for the rest of the day, explains Katherine Brooking, registered dietitian and co-founder of appforhealth.com. "If you're starting your day with coffee-only, donuts or Pop-Tarts, you're doing your body -- and energy level -- a disservice," Brooking told The Huffington Post. To do your body right, she suggests people reach "past the sugar-sweetened cereal boxes and choose a real energy-boosting meal that includes protein and complex carbohydrates."Flickr photo by mary_thompson (credit:Flickr:mary_thompson)
Keep Eating ...(02 of08)
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... but not too much! Brooking suggests snacking on something every four to five hours to keep your brain fueled. But, she warns, consume only what you actually need -- overeating can leave you feeling sluggish. What's the best brain food? Brooking suggests protein, which will keep you full -- look for sources that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol, like nuts, peanut butter, beans, hummus, low-fat dairy and skinless poultry or fish. Flickr photo by The Travelling Bum (credit:Flickr:The Travelling Bum)
Identify The Problem(03 of08)
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"Be aware that this is going to be a challenge," says Dr. Cynthia Green, Ph.D, a memory fitness and brain health expert. The fact is that for many of us, losing an hour of sleep will make the next few days a little harder than usual.Green suggests acknowledging the fact that you might be more distracted -- knowing that up front can actually help you to stay focused. If you find yourself drifting, consider writing down your feelings of lost focus, which can help you get back on track. Flickr photo by qisur (credit:Flickr: qisur)
Take A Break(04 of08)
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If you consciously plan breaks throughout your day, you might be less likely to take those constant, mindless breaks at your desk (foodgawker, anyone?).Green recommends scheduling a reminder on your computer for every hour or so to stretch your limbs or get a drink of water. In fact, a study conducted last year found that taking breaks from a lengthy task could help you pay more attention to the task at hand since you'll be more engaged and less "habituated."Flickr photo by beatplusmelody (credit:Flickr:beatplusmelody)
Play A Game(05 of08)
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If you do spend time browsing the web today, turn it into something productive that will sharpen your brain before you return to the tasks at hand. "Playing a brain fitness game -- a game against the clock -- instead of looking for the latest celebrity gossip will have you exercising some of those brain skills you're trying to focus," Green explains. She suggests a brain training exercise from lumosity, which will help you to sharpen up a fuzzy, sleep-deprived brain. (credit:lumosity.com)
Give It A Rest(06 of08)
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If you're so sluggish that it's impossible to stay awake, a nap might be in order. Research has shown that a 20-minute catnap mid-day can actually boost productivity -- just be sure not to sleep for too long or too late in the day, both of which will just leave you groggier and unable to sleep at night (and that, in turn, will only lead to cyber-loafing Tuesday).Not sure how to snooze on the clock? Check out these valuable tips for taking a nap at work.Flickr photo by Mr TGT (credit:Flickr:Mr TGT)
Breathe It Out(07 of08)
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The Monday after daylight saving is stressful, notes Green, because both our bodies and minds are adjusting to the new schedule. Doing a breathing exercise at your desk is a simple and easy way to recharge and get a clearer head. (Warning: this move requires a funny face, so you may want to clue your co-workers into what you're doing -- and even invite them to join along.)Here, Green's instructions for a brain-boosting breathing exercise:
For this exercise, I'd like you to sit comfortably in your chair, with both feet on the floor and your hands resting comfortably in your lap or on your thighs. Start by taking a deep breath, breathing deep into your belly. Then as you exhale, stick out your tongue and exhale with a bit of force, feeling and hearing the air move out against the back of your throat. You may even make a bit of a sound as you force the air out along your throat, saying "ha" (assuming you have some privacy to do so). Repeat these steps for a few breaths. When you are done, notice how you feel. Chances are that you will feel more alert, back in focus and even more relaxed.
Flickr photo by clogozm
(credit:Flickr:clogozm)
Get Back On Track(08 of08)
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If you're really feeling zonked, give yourself a break -- adjusting to the new time can take until the end of the week, Green says.To speed the adjustment, she advises setting the alarm incrementally earlier so you can get used to the change. "Try to get up 15 minutes earlier each day to get yourself ready. It might take a little more time for you to get ready because your body is still getting used to the time change." She says to cut that extra time down a small amount from morning to morning, so by the end of the week you'll be feeling like yourself again. Flickr photo by Alan Cleaver (credit:Flickr:Alan Cleaver)

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