There are days where we feel full of energy and have endless focus, but also days where we struggle to get anything done. Those low days can come out of nowhere, but often there are things impacting these moods beyond missing our morning coffee and Mercury being in (or out of) retrograde. Here we explore unexpected things impacting productivity, and what you can do to overcome them.
Hormones & Menstrual Cycle
Hormones play a significant role in our productivity levels. As somebody with PMDD, I understand this incredibly well! If you have a menstrual cycle you should know that it greatly impacts our energy levels, mood, cognitive function - and that’s before touching on the physical side of things that can disrupt even the best of days. The plus side is that during the ovulation phase (around 14 days after your period) your energy and focus will be on a whole other level. Understanding and working with, instead of against, your cycle can help you get so much more done. This is why we included an extra circle next to ‘mood’ and ‘sleep’ in The Weekly Planner. You can track your cycle here and make the most of each day in line with what your mind and body are likely to want at that stage.
Sleep Is For Strong
To the dismay of fellow night owls who never seem to switch off, sleep is another crucial factor that impacts our productivity. Getting enough high-quality sleep is essential for our overall health and well-being, in addition to helping with emotional regulation, reducing stress, and improving cognitive function. When we're sleep-deprived, we tend to feel fatigued, irritable, and have difficulty concentrating.
Sticking to a consistent evening and morning routine can help you prioritise sleep in a practical way. Fill your evenings (or at least the hour before bed) with relaxing activities like journalling, stretching, and reading. Creating a morning routine that sticks could be an entire blog post on its own, but the key is doing something that you love. If that’s sunrise yoga then that’s great for you, but if you need the lure of video games, a craft project or just scrolling TikTok then that works, too! If you’re a morning pages person or want to journal at night then The Reflection Journal is perfect. The prompts come on sticker sheets stored in the back, so you don’t feel the pressure to write several pages per prompt when you’re not feeling it, but still won’t be limited by another prompt appearing before you’d finished exploring the previous one.
Eat Your Snacks, Bestie
Poor nutrition can lead to decreased energy levels and difficulty concentrating, but that doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your entire diet. Many women aren’t eating enough food (thanks diet culture!) so do what you can to prioritise getting in three meals and two snacks every day. Fill your plate with veggies, don’t be afraid of carbs, and have a variety of foods in your diet to ensure you’re getting all your essential nutrients. To make fuelling your body & brain easier try the following tips:
- Have ready meals on hand for busy days, and add some veggies, a side salad and/or extra protein to make it more nutritionally dense
- Make a smoothie at snack time or if a full breakfast is hard for you to stomach in the mornings. Try including things like greek yogurt for protein, oats to keep you fuller for longer, calcium-fortified milks for your bones, and a few cubes of frozen spinach (I promise you can’t taste it!) to sneak in those veggies.
Fuel your body to fuel your brain and Get It Done.
Understanding the unexpected factors that impact our productivity is a crucial step towards achieving consistent and effective work days. From the influence of hormones and menstrual cycles on energy levels and focus, to the undeniable importance of quality sleep for emotional well-being and cognitive function, and the role of proper nutrition in sustaining energy and concentration, these often-overlooked elements play a significant role in our ability to Get It Done.
By embracing your natural rhythms and incorporating them into your daily routine, you can harness the power of your body's ebbs and flows. Tracking your menstrual cycle, prioritizing sleep through soothing routines, and nourishing your body with balanced meals and snacks are practical steps that can empower you to unlock your full potential. Remember, productivity isn't just about pushing through, but also about working in harmony with your body and mind. So, as you embark on your journey towards heightened productivity, keep in mind these unexpected allies that can help you navigate the path to success with greater ease and fulfillment.