6 Ways to Be More Productive by Working Less

1. Get outside.
Even if you’re just going out to grab coffee or tea in the
afternoon, make it a point to stretch your legs and
breathe in some fresh air. You'll have a daily excuse to
step away from your desk and give a boon to your
productivity. A recent experiment using the productivity
app DeskTime found that the most productive employees
in the study took 17-minute breaks for every 52 minutes
of work.
2. Schedule short walks.
Exercise is important, but not always easy to fit into a
busy day. Schedule a walk, putting it on your calendar,
the same way you would a meeting, even if your stroll is
just a few minutes long. A recent study found that
creative thinking improves during and shortly after a
walk.
Related: 4 Ways Startup Employers Fail at Work-Life
Balance
3. Eat lunch with coworkers.
Avoid the temptation to chow down in front of your
laptop. Eating lunch at your desk is a surefire way to get
less satisfaction out of your mealtime. One study
suggests that skipping a proper lunch break may
increase fatigue and decrease productivity. Schedule
lunch with your coworkers, either in or out of the office,
but away from your computers, to connect with office
mates and unplug.
4. There's an app for that.
Apps like Workrave and Big Stretch Reminder force you
to take breaks from staring at your screen, and can
prompt you to step away from the computer when you’re
tempted to keep your nose to the grindstone.
5. Reach out.
Get in touch with a friend, relative or other loved one for
a brief chat and an important reminder of your life
outside of the office. Research indicates that people who
feel more connected to others have lower rates of
anxiety and depression. A quick call can help you feel
supported, and boost morale.
6. Write it out.
It’s hard to remember to be mindful during a busy day,
but taking a few minutes to jot down your feelings may
help alleviate some stress and keep you grounded.
Research has shown that expressive writing can improve
mood disorders and even boost memory .