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Energy Management

The Peak Time for Everything

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A growing body of research suggests that paying attention to the body clock, and its effects on energy and alertness, can help pinpoint the different times of day when most of us perform our best at specific tasks, from resolving conflicts to thinking creatively.

Sue Shellenbarger explores The Peak Time for Everything for WSJ.

Some takeaways: Nap around 2pm. Tired times make for better open-ended thinking. And retweeting chances increase between 3-6 pm.

Circadian and natural rhythms, and thus peak times for doing stuff, depend on the individual. Read on for some pretty interesting ideas on how to set your activity to your inner clock.

Take Control Of Your Life

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[W]e have one reservoir of willpower. It’s a highly limited resource, and it gets depleted by every act that requires its use.

Tony Schwartz, proponent of maintaining your energy levels for sustainable productivity, offers a Master Plan for Taking Control of Your Life back from all those temptations that ultimately deplete your tank of willpower.

His two tips related to eating and sleeping are great reminders to attend to your physical health in order to give your best during the day:

4. Sleep as much as you must to feel fully rested.

Enough with the “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” mentality. That just makes you a zombie.

And:

6. Eat energy rich foods in small doses at frequent intervals.  

Schwartz recommends refueling at least every three hours. Skip the mocha choco latte yeah yeah and donuts, and snack on lean proteins and complex carbohydrates for longer lasting energy boosts. Here are some helpful meal and snack ideas.

Summer Lovin'