I do realize this topic is off beat compared to things I usually discuss, but sometimes there are certain things that are on my mind that I have the need to work through. In this instance, it is related to my own health and my own life choices when it comes to personal productivity.

As an avid promoter of technology, much of my time and effort is put into improving user productivity – I create a set of tools to work through a job efficiently and effectively so it can be done in the most productive way possible. Yet, when it comes to health, I am the most notorious for creating barriers to productivity. Let me elaborate.

In our fast paced culture it is very easy to skip through some of the most fundamental steps that need to be taken to improve our mental clarity throughout the day. In my instance, I am very adept at skipping breakfast – which of course decreases both my sharpness and productivity by mid-morning – but for some reason, it doesn't get me to sit down and eat it every morning.

Then there is the issue with stimulants. I was notorious for drinking a large number of stimulants to get through the day, it is only recently that I was able to drop those out of my diet. There are some very interesting articles on the internet that discuss the issue of psychological highs and lows throughout the day and associates many of them with replacing proper energy supplements such as food with artificial ones such as energy drinks.

When it comes down to it, there are some essential steps everyone should take to make sure they are making themselves the most productive they can be. I sat down to make this list for myself so I can actually improve my own productivity and have it serve as a reminder that although technology can take us so far, the rest is up to us.

1. Never Skip Breakfast

After we wake up in the morning our bodies are both starving and dehydrated. I know what you are thinking, "but I don't feel hungry". Well, did you know your brain actually releases a chemical while you sleep to subside your hunger pains? It does this so you can sleep adequately – it often takes up to an hour for your hunger to kick in. Believe me, you are hungry you just don't feel it.

2. Drink A Full Glass of Water in the Morning

I know this sound wierd or obvious, but there is a reason you have to use the restroom when you wake up in the morning. Your body has just spent the entire night using all of the water you consumed the night before. You will notice that your body actually operates in slow motion after you wake up and once you have chugged a glass of water, things will start to kick in (both digestively and energy wise)

3. Be Smart With Your Caffeine Intake

Caffeine is not the enemy, in fact, there are many articles that suggest it's very good for your health overall. However, if you are one of those people who are constantly hitting "highs" and "lows" it is likely due to replacing your normal energy sources (such as food) with caffeine based ones such as energy drinks. Replacing your meals with energy sources such as caffeine is a sure fired way of making you feel like trash by the end of the night. 

Remember the goal here is to try to get a balanced amount of energy throughout the day. If you opt to drink an energy drink, just make sure you eat something with it, preferrably something with a low sugar content, as sugar will make you crash.

4. Go For The Sugar Free Energy Drink

I know many people will tell you energy drinks are evil and bad for you, and in most cases they are right. Really if you drink too much of anything it is bad for you. However, the big name energy drinks such as "monster" have loads of sugar in them. Did you know it is actually the sugar that causes most energy crashes? Sugar acts as a catalyst to get the caffeine to your blood stream faster, as a result, the energy boost is more intense and it makes the crash later more intense.

I would recommend opting for a sugar free Red Bull or a 5 hour energy long before grabbing a monster off of the shelf. Of course, I'm no doctor, so this isn't health advice, just common sense advice.

5. Avoid Fast Food, Take Some Time and Eat A Real Meal

How long does it take you to eat. I mean really. Clock yourself, I'm serious. So many people go to fast food resaurants because they feel they don't have enough time to sit down and have lunch. You will be surprised at how fast you can wolf down a decent hamburger or lunch meat sandwich you made yourself.

As I write this article, I am out at breakfast eating. I have had time to have a full glass of water, a breakfast bagel and take some time to wake up. How long did it take? A Half an hour AND I am writing this article while doing it. Think about it, if you take an extra half an hour out of your day to start it out right, you will be surprised at how much more productive you become throughout the day.

6. Exercise?

Don't get advice from me on exercise, I am lazy, but I know for a fact it makes me feel better and gives me better energy levels for days after I have done it – if you are one of those people who don't have trouble exercising DO IT, you are fortunate. Those of us who are lazy have alot of trouble taking on this tip.

Conclusion:

I am not a doctor so this isn't exactly health advice. These are just some strategies I learned to improve my own personal productivity by making simple lifestyle changes. I have alot of trouble adopting them myself, but when I do follow all of these methods, I feel much better throughout my day and have more balanced energy levels.