Perform without burning out
BBA’s Occupational Health and Safety team is pleased to provide this blog article on managing your level of energy at work and the importance of taking breaks, even during peak periods.
Although working long hours in a row can help you catch up on a considerable amount of work, it can also have negative effects on your health, safety and personal life, in addition to affecting your productivity.
That’s why it’s important to stick to your limits, because exceeding them can result in overall fatigue, which decreases concentration and makes you more vulnerable to occupational accidents.
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Focus on balance
Working long days often means more stress and bad habits: sedentary lifestyle, lack of sleep and exercise, poor nutrition and more. It also leaves very little free time for yourself, which can have repercussions on your social and family life.
If you’re expecting a high workload, here are a few tips to help maintain your health and well-being:
- To avoid sitting at your desk for long periods of time, take short frequent breaks to get up and stretch. Also make sure your workstations are ergonomic.
- Don’t skip meals, and try to eat nutritious food, avoiding excess sugar and fat.
- Instead of coffee or sugary beverages, drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
- For long car rides, take 30-minute breaks every four hours. Use this time to stretch your legs and get some fresh air.
Practice digital disconnecting
While they help us work from anywhere at any time, new technologies have also invaded our daily lives. Set yourself limits to separate your professional life from your personal life.
And above all, if you feel you’re losing control, try to find ways to regain the upper hand.
Here are a few tips:
Wean your withdrawal
Our screens provide a flow of information that increases dopamine production – the happiness hormone. When we get used to it, it can sometimes be difficult to go without it. As with any drug, you have to give yourself time to get over the negative effects of withdrawal before you can experience the positive effects.
Set fixed times
Experts recommend setting fixed times for checking your emails or your social networks, and sticking to them.
Deactivate notifications
Deactivate sound and visual notifications. That way, you won’t be attracted to your screen and can stick to your set time slots.
Do something else!
Take advantage of your free time to move, play with your kids, read a good book … Wherever your mood takes you!
Being able to let go will help you perform better later on.
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