Productivity – There’s Not an App for Everything

We have come to believe that there is an app for just about anything. And when it comes to productivity, there are dozens upon dozens of them. There are calendars; there are apps to be more productive that will organize your notes, set up timelines for completion of major papers and projects, that will keep you off of the internet while you are supposed to work, that will let you collaborate with fellow students on projects, that will give you deep grammar checks and that will turn you dictation into written text. There are apps for statistics and other math problems and mind-mapping. There are plenty of services that are to get human resources on your side even, for instance, research paper writers here. Yet with all of the apps, students still find themselves less productive than they want or need to be. They are tired; they lack focus; they lack energy and enthusiasm for sports, even for coursework in their major fields. The solution is not a new app – the solution is what you are putting into your body!

Bad Eating – Mice on a Wheel

Students are notorious for horrible eating habits. They don’t eat three meals a day – they just graze, eating sugar, fat, and salt-laden snack after snack, way into the night, supplementing the poor eating habits with energy drinks. Here’s the thing: If this is how you are eating, you may indeed boost your energy with the sugar and the drinks. You will not, however, increase your brain function. And without improved brain function, you are simply like a mouse on a wheel – running and running, but make no substantive progress.

Foods to Increase Your Productivity

There is nothing wrong with snacking throughout the day, as opposed to eating the traditional three meals. In fact, many nutritionists believe that this is a far better method of food intake, as it keeps metabolism going all day and avoids the natural sluggishness after a full meal (think the meals your grandmother has always made). The element you are missing, however, is the types of snacks you choose – chips, cookies, candy bars, doughnuts, and, yes, energy drinks. You will get quick bursts of energy, yes, but the “crash” that comes after will be big. And those energy drinks? Yes, they will make you quite hyper, for 5-8 hours even, but they actually reduce the ability of your brain to focus. If you want sustained energy throughout the day, and you want to be focused and productive, here are the foods you must choose for snacks:

1. Avocados – Don’t grimace until you have actually tried a slice with salt or sugar on it – this power food gives a double whammy – energy and improved brain activity.
2. Almonds – Actual MRI’s following ingestion of almonds show that brain activity is increased, especially in those areas that deal with logic, memory, and problem solving.
3. Raisins – Sustained energy is what you get from this snack – not the short bursts from sugars and starches
4. Olives – These are anti-inflammatory foods, so those small aches and pains that distract you? Get rid of them.
5. Strawberries – They provide relief for tired eyes, and researchers are now studying the possibility that they actually improve eyesight.
6. Water – You can never get enough. Water speeds up your metabolism in a healthy way. And the energy you get = great productivity.
7. Sunflower Seeds – These little power beauties counter fatigue.
8. Green tea – We all know the anti-oxidant benefit of green teas, but they also help you resist colds and flu. No one productive when s/he doesn’t feel well, so pack your body with prevention.
9. Watermelon – It does not fill you up but it is a known energy booster. Eat it alongside nuts and raisins and you will be set for a really productive study session.
10. Dark chocolate – The nice thing about this snack is that it will satisfy your craving for sweets for a longer period of time than other types of sweets. Keep dark chocolate M&M’s or chocolate chips around – a handful a couple of times a day will do wonders!
11. Granola – There is good granola and there is bad granola – look at the ingredients and choose the brands that are low in fats and refined sugars.
12. Trail Mix – Again, there is good and bad. If you want a really simple one, mix peanuts, raisins, and dark chocolate chips yourself and keep it in the fridge.

Look back over this list. You know there are things on it that you like. Hit the local discount grocery store and stock up. If you fill your cupboards and fridge with this stuff, you’ll have no choice when you need a snack. Your body will thank you, and you will accomplish so much more!