Make This Resolution for a Better Workday
Posted December 17th, 2019
As the new year approaches, many people start planning their resolutions. These annual goals can be incredibly beneficial, encouraging you to take action and improve your life in a meaningful way. If you want to make sure that you are as productive and engaged as possible at work, one resolution needs to be on your list: to commit to healthy eating. Here’s why.
Carb Overload Hinders Productivity
While carbs can certainly be part of a healthy diet, overloading on them can harm productivity. Many carbohydrates – including everything from bread to pasta to sugary-treats – cause insulin levels to skyrocket. When this occurs, your body may respond by flooding your brain with hormones that make you sleepy, like serotonin and tryptophan. This can make you sluggish after your meal and may prevent you from staying focused and engaged.
Blood Sugar Levels Impact Your Energy
When your blood sugar levels fall (an outcome that some refer to as a “sugar crash”), your energy levels drop. At least one study also suggested that low glucose levels can affect your willpower, making it harder to push yourself to do tasks that you might not want to do.
Blood sugar crashes can happen for several reasons. Going too long between meals can be a culprit. A high-carb meal or too many simple sugars can also cause glucose levels to tumble quickly after the sugar high is over.
By focusing on eating a balanced diet and sticking to a schedule, you can avoid low blood sugar levels with greater ease. This may make it easier to remain focused and productive during the day.
Dietary Habits and Sleep Quality
How you eat can affect how you sleep. The human body is governed by circadian rhythms, a natural cycle that determines when we feel tired or alert.
While there are many things that can impact your circadian rhythm, food is definitely one of them. For example, if you eat too much at night, your body might take that as a signal to work instead of sleep.
In contrast, if you have your largest meal in the morning, you are sending that signal at the best time. You’ll be more alert when you need to be as your body feels like it has the energy it needs to use and that there is enough to power through the workday.
Ultimately, a person’s diet has a significant impact on productivity and engagement. By improving your eating habits, you can enhance your workplace performance, allowing you to achieve your professional goals with great ease.
If you would like to learn more about how you can elevate your career in 2020 or are seeking out new opportunities, the talented team at Bayside Solutions wants to hear from you. Contact us to discuss your questions or career goals with a member of our staff today and see how our services can help you thrive.
