Energy level at work

This post came out from The Straits Times (24 June 2015)
Title - Get in sync with your body

Some pointers that I've got are:
1. Five tips to improve your energy level

• Establish a mental routine - This helps to prepare the body (much like a warm up) for the work that is coming. The fact is, there is no one optimum time to be working, but if you can have a mental preparation routine before any task, you might find it easier to act on it.
• Take intermittent breaks - On average, we can be effective for two hours straight at most, even if we are working on something that we are passionate about and totally absorbed in the task. Thereafter, our energy and attention diminishes throughout the day. The key is to take intermittent breaks to recover before you go for another push. On average, take a break every 90 minutes.
• Change your eating habit - Instead of having two big meals in a day, take small bites throughout the day. Having smaller meals or light snakes once every three hours is a good benchmark. The intention here is to stabilize the glucose level throughout the day which will help you avoid the peak and dips of your energy level.
• Pause and reflect - We cannot work continuously for eight hours at work. Take brief and regular breaks at specific intervals throughout the day is key. This is called the ultradian rhythms, or the 90 to 120 minute cycles during which your body moves slowly from a high energty state into a lower one. At the end of each cycle, your body tries to recover from exertion, so try doing things like walking around the office.
• Think positively - When we think negatively, our minds shut off all other possibilities and options. This limits creativity and lowers our energy levels. 

Yours,
Something Small Thinking Big