Are you tired of the stress that comes along with hustle culture?
If so, I’ve got good news for you:
The healthiest, most sustainable kind of productivity isn’t about waking up at the crack of dawn, depriving yourself of any fun, and miserably forcing yourself to work, work, work.
I’ve found that the tips that actually help me do my most valuable and loving work, and to do it consistently without burning out… are actually pretty cozy.
You are a human, not a machine. You’re not designed to work 100% efficiently 24/7 (or, let’s be honest, even for 8 hours at a time, 5 days a week).
The best productivity tips focus on listening to your body and mind, and cultivating a cozy, gentle work ethic, rather than forcing yourself into a rigid work routine.
In this article, I’m sharing the tips that help me look forward to a day of work and allow me to sustain a productive schedule without getting burned out.
Here are my favorite “cozy” productivity tips (that you’ll actually want to do):
1. Get more sleep.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that when you’re not well-rested, you’re not as productive.
A lack of sleep can make you less focused, hurt your cognitive function, and, let’s be honest, turn you into an uninspired grump.
For me, I notice that I just slow down when I’m tired. I can’t think as quickly. Plus, I feel much less motivated to create new things.
Prioritize getting sleep like it’s any other important task. If you find it difficult to get to bed early enough, try setting an alarm – but setting it for when you want to go to bed at night rather than when you want to wake up in the morning.
Treat that alarm as seriously as you would a morning alarm and avoid hitting snooze.
While some experts love getting up at 5:00 am (and if that’s your thing, totally cool), I’ve found that waking up extra early actually has the opposite effect on my productivity – it goes down, down, down.
Experiment to find out what helps you get the right amount of sleep. You may want to prioritize taking a nap in the middle of the day, which can help give you an energy boost.
No matter how you make it happen, you can get more done in less time if you’re well-rested.
2. Take more breaks
Most research has shown that the average adult can only focus on a task for 15-20 minutes at a time (depending on a whole lot of factors, of course).
That means if you’re struggling to make yourself focus on something for hours on end without a break, you’re fighting an uphill battle.
Give yourself permission to take a break when you’re starting to feel distracted or fatigued. You can also set timers to remind yourself to take a break. Try using a cube timer or a visual timer to take breaks every 20 minutes or so, then take a 3-5 minute break.
Remember that not all breaks are created equally. A break to go on a quick walk, drink some water, or get some fresh air can recharge your brain. On the other hand, scrolling on your phone or watching a video will keep your mind stimulated.
I personally take breaks whenever I feel my mind start to wander and I’m tempted to open a new tab on my computer or switch tasks in some other way. Most of my mini-breaks simply involve me closing my eyes or staring out the window for 30-60 seconds.
Recommended: Why Your Brain Needs a Break (And How to Give it One Effectively)
3. Eat snacks
You’re not you when you’re hungry.
That may be the Snickers slogan, but it could be a productivity mantra as well: You can’t work/create/think as well when you’re hungry.
Like being sleepy, I notice that if I’m working and I’m starting to get hungry, I have a harder time focusing and thinking things through.
Eating a snack during your breaks is a great way to re-fuel. I recommend snacks that are nutrient-dense and satisfying—think nuts, fruit, yogurt, or whole-grain crackers.
4. Get comfortable
Have you ever tried working all day with an ache in your neck? Or an itchy tag on the back of your shirt?
It’s not very fun.
Physical discomfort can distract you from getting into flow.
Take some time to make your workspace comfortable, especially if you work from home. I don’t necessarily suggest snuggling up on your couch or bed to do everything, but invest in an ergonomic office chair and adjust it so it’s supporting your legs and back properly.
If you use a laptop, make sure the screen is at your eye level. You can do this by using a standing desk, an adjustable laptop stand, or simply by stacking up books to put your laptop on.
Recommended: 16 of the Best Productivity Products on Amazon
Do some stretching or a short yoga routine if your body is feeling tight and achy.
Keep your body temperature comfortable, whether you need a portable fan or a space heater or a cold glass of water.
My feet are always cold, no matter what time of year, so I wear thick socks when I’m working at my desk so I’m not distracted by my toes slowly going numb. I also love wearing thick sweaters and sipping a warm drink when it’s cold.
5. Put on some focus music
Soft, calming music can help make your workspace inviting and peaceful, especially if you’re having an anxious-or-agitated-mind kind of day. This sort of music has also been shown to help with memory and cognition.
If you always play a focus music playlist as you begin your work, it can also signal to your brain that it’s work time.
Start with searching “Focus Music” on YouTube to find hours and hours’ worth of calming sounds.
(By the way, if music in the background is distracting to you, don’t try to force it. It doesn’t help for everyone; it’s just the way different minds work.)
Recommended: Midi-Tasking… The Better Way to Multi-Task
6. Reward yourself
Just like taking time to rest, part of being your most productive and creative self is rewarding yourself with things that you find fun and exciting.
When you give yourself a little reward for a job well-completed, your brain makes an association between productivity and satisfaction.
These rewards can be small, like a 5-minute dance party to your favorite 80’s song or a piece of hazelnut chocolate. Even making an “X” next to an item off your to-do list acts as a kind of “reward” that gives you a shiny, proud-of-yourself feeling.
If you like to plan out your days in advance, schedule time for fun or for what you’ll reward yourself with.
Once your to-do list for the day is over, don’t add more tasks to do. Give yourself some guilt-free relaxation time or fun time. This will help you to be recharged and ready for another productive day tomorrow!
Recommended: 100 Ways to Have Fun as an Adult
Conclusion
There’s no one-size-fits-all productivity schedule or routine that will magically make you work more efficiently.
Ultimately, making your work feel enjoyable, cozy, and less stressful will help you to maintain a productive schedule without burning out.
Remember, you’re not a machine, and giving yourself rest, breaks, food, comfort, and fun will help you to be productive in a way that leaves you energized and inspired.
Best of luck!
Before You Go…
Learn some ways to plan your day in a unique, gently productive way.
Recommended Reading: Feel-Good Productivity: How to do More of What Matters to You by Ali Abdaal.
