According to an illuminating study by the Virgin Pulse Institute, up to 76% of the American workforce feel tired most days of the week. Another 40% find themselves dozing off during the day.
If you’ve experienced workplace fatigue, there are many initiatives you can take to reduce tiredness, increase your productivity, and ultimately your happiness at work.
Read on to learn some of the best techniques for overcoming workplace fatigue.
You’ve probably heard experts recommend that people eat a nutrient-packed breakfast each day. And yet 31 million U.S. consumers skip breakfast daily.
What these individuals fail to realize is that skipping breakfast causes detrimental health effects, and it’s one of the reasons why you feel fatigued all day at work.
When you miss the day’s first meal, you deprive your body of much-needed energy.
Essentially, you are on an energy deficit, forcing your body to tap into energy reserves throughout the day.
Here’s how you can boost your energy levels naturally through breakfast:
When you’re overcome with exhaustion or feel sleepy at work, what is the first thing you do?
For many, they either have a rest or grab a cup of coffee.
Although both of these techniques make you feel energized for a short while, a more effective way of fighting fatigue is to go for a walk.
Here are some statistics to support this concept:
If you can’t spare time to go for a walk, look for clever ways to incorporate movement into your routine. Here are some ideas for you to consider:
Take the stairs instead of using a lift
Remember, the other great thing about exercising is that it can also improve your productivity at work.
Essential oils refer to concentrated compounds, which are extracted from plants through mechanical methods such as cold pressing or water distillation.
For centuries now, these essential oils have been used to manage pain and fight bacteria. But recent studies also show that aromatherapy - the application of essential oils to promote well-being - can also be used to fight fatigue.
This study published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies shows that compound essential oil is particularly effective in combating central fatigue. Similarly, a different study found that essential oils boost relaxation, reduce anxiety and prevent fatigue.
Opting for aromatherapy is a lot healthier than ingesting caffeinated drinks that cause an adrenaline rush, which in turn, strains your adrenal glands. So here are some recommendations on how to use essential oils at your workplace:
Be sure to use only therapeutic grade essential oils. It’s also a good idea to get approval from your physician as some essential oils can cause side effects.
As Science Direct explains, one of the biggest causes of workplace fatigue is sleep deprivation. This is not surprising considering that one in every three Americans gets less than seven hours of sleep each night.
Now, while some causes of sleep deprivation are unavoidable - like long work shifts, there are others that you can control.
We’re referring to the use of electronic devices right before you sleep.
Using tablets, laptops, smartphones and TVs just a short while before you sleep interferes with your body’s internal clock.
More specifically, it affects the production of melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone. As a result, this makes it much more difficult to fall asleep.
Ultimately, you sleep for a much shorter time, which is why you feel grumpy and fatigued the following day.
To avoid this, limit your exposure to electronic devices at night. This way, you’ll be able to get the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep.
You can also take up healthy sleep habits such as:
If you’ve been feeling tired at work, there are a few things you can do to prevent this. First off, ensure you’re getting adequate sleep each night. You should also eat a healthy breakfast every morning to replenish your energy. Finally, try aromatherapy and incorporate movement into your routine.