There are often days in your life when you struggle to get in the mood for work. Your slothfulness takes over and productivity takes a back seat. Sometimes there are distractions and on some days, you struggle to see a reason behind that lazed out attitude of yours. So instead of mulling over as to why you can’t get the engine of your brain started, focus on some non-work related activities that can reset your mind into work mode.

While having downtime is absolutely normal, setting up some rules and adopting a few habits that can help you get out of the weekday blues can significantly increase your productivity. Here are five non-work related activities that you can easily do from the comfort of your office.

1. Avoid multitasking

A study conducted by Stanford University suggests that multitasking can impair your cognitive controls. People who tend to multitask a lot can’t differentiate between what’s important and what’s not because the human brain can only process one string of information at a time. Sounds scary right? Fret not. Just drop the stress ball of ‘multitasking’ off your brain and focus on doing just one task at a time.

Give yourself a breather and close the dozen tabs on your system. Pick one task at a time (according to its importance and priority) and stick to that until you finish it. This way your mind would be trained to become more organised and you can get a lot done in a very short time.

2. Unwind yourself

Most of us today are the victims of a sedentary lifestyle. During the 8-9 hours that we work every day, our physical activities are restrained as a result of which people commonly complain of body aches and pains. Not only that, but a lack of productivity tops the charts when it comes to working without a break. So if you are feeling annoyed with yourself for not being able to concentrate on your work, move your muscles, stretch your legs, neck and arms to ward of all sluggishness.

People who tend to multitask a lot can’t differentiate between what’s important and what’s not because the human brain can only process one string of information at a time.

3. Go for a walk

Walking is a great exercise and taking even a 5 minute walk every hour or two can get your endorphins rushing. Help yourself to a cup of coffee or take a stroll in your office premises. Trust us when we say, this activity can boost your productivity considerably.

4. Get out of the office

Doing the same thing every day can become a tad monotonous. To shake off the dreariness, reward your eyes with some greenery or a change of ambience sometimes. Get out of the office for sometime, move your concentration away from your computer and enjoy a few minutes off work. Come back when you are completely refreshed and ready to work.

Also read: Declutter your business the Marie Kondo way

5. Take a lunch break

One of the best things you can do to boost your productivity at workplace is to take a lunch break.  A study conducted by Tork highlights the importance of taking a lunch break away from your desk.  When you quickly gobble up your food without removing your eyes and brain from your computer, it’s only a matter of time before the burnout kicks in. This will not only hamper your productivity in the long run but will also lead to lifestyle related diseases which are very hard to get rid of.

Apart from these non-work activities, you can set yourself a routine and plan your day in such a way that your productivity isn’t compromised at any cost. As Stephen R. Covey put, “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”

Here are some tips to get your cart of efficiency moving:

• Set up a proper sleep and wake cycle

Humans are creatures of habit. Your body’s biological clock needs to be in a rhythm. Sleeping and getting up at different timings everyday can massively impact your productivity at work. Go to bed and get up at the same time everyday. Try waking up early too. Initially you may find your body resisting the pattern but soon everything will fall into place and you will start feeling more energetic.

Also read: Minimise clutter to maximise productivity

• Switch off the digital mode sometimes

The irony of a digital world is, as we are progressing to become a more socially connected universe, we are losing the human touch! Terms like ‘fomo’ (fear of missing out) are fast catching up and we willingly or unwillingly give in to the pressures of social media in order to remain relevant in this ‘digitally connected world’. Try switching off the digital realm every once in a while and you will soon notice the positive effects of it.

• Declutter

Decluttering is a great exercise which leaves you relaxed and happy at the end of it. Try organising your work desk and keep it clean. This will motivate you to work better.

• Set timers

On a particularly less productive day, a single task may seem to drag on if not timed well. Follow the Pomodoro Technique and set a timer for 25 minutes of work and then a 5 minute break to boost your productivity.

So with these handy productivity tips, go ahead and make each day count!

Also read: 3 hacks to skyrocket your productivity