A Great Day at the Office
A Great Day at the Office is dedicated to providing individuals with practical and effective strategies for optimising energy, effectiveness and sustainability. It covers a wide range of areas, including diet, activity, sleep, sunlight and psychology. The information and advice in the book is evidence-based, but more than that has been ‘field-tested’ with thousands of business professionals over a 20-year period.
Why do so many people never have a great day at the office?
I think a lot of people are simply unaware of things that they do on an almost-daily basis that rob them of energy and vitality. Common problem areas include diet, sleep and mind-set.
Why is diet so important to getting through the day?
Food may be enjoyable, but it’s primary function is to fuel us – both our body and our mind. A common problem people have is to base the diet on foods that tend to destabilise blood sugar levels, causing energy levels and concentration to stall from time to time (particularly the mid-late afternoon). Why this happens and what to do about it is described in the book.
What is one of the most common causes of insomnia?
Too much light exposure in the evening, as it can make the brain ‘wired’ and suppress levels of the sleep hormone melatonin. It’s blue light that is the most problematic in this regard, and laptops and tablets usually give off a lot of this sort of light.
How can hydration effect productivity?
Even relatively mild dehydration can have a negative impact on energy levels, concentration and even mood.
Why does alcohol not help you at work if you are drinking through the week?
The fundamental problem here is that while alcohol can help us get to sleep, it tends to disrupt sleep in the second half of the night. For most people, it does not take much alcohol to have them feelings significantly less well rested compared to when they don’t drink.
What type of music can boost mood and mental performance?
Music has been shown to boost performance, but the best results seem to be achieved when people pick music that they like and feel is calming or uplifting in some way. Take your pick!
How important are breathing exercises to inducing calm at work?
Some of us breathe a bit too quickly, particularly when we are under pressure. One of the problems here is that it can lead to slightly lower levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, which can actually impair delivery of oxygen to tissues, including the brain. Slowing breathing down is one simple measure that can often restore calm and focus to the mind, and it may be particularly useful when we want to be at our best.
What is next for you?
I am speaking at the London Business Forum on 11th February. I’ll be delivering a whistle-stop guide to all the most useful strategies for boosting personal and business productivity.
Dr John Briffa is the Director of Dr Briffa Wellness (drbriffawellness.com), a specialized business consultancy providing organisations with high-impact interventions for optimising personal and business performance. He is the author of A Great Day at the Office (Fourth Estate).