It is no longer news that stress is synonymous with living in our world today and this is more evident than ever in our day to day living. Stress factors such as the current harsh economic realities with high cost of living, traffic due to poor road networks, enormous workloads, deadlines and other life pressures play huge negative roles in our productivity in general.
Our productivity and success are paramount, deadlines must be met, stress must be combated and in all, we must remain healthy to achieve more. Therefore, it is essential that we prepare our mind and body to be productive by getting enough of the essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals required by our body to repair, replenish and revitalise us for our optimal mental and physical performance.
Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins Therefore, when proteins are digested or broken down, amino acids are formed. Amino acids are the building blocks of life. The human body uses amino acids to make proteins. Proteins help the body break down food, grow and repair body tissues, serve as a source of energy for the body and perform many other body functions.
There are 20 different amino acids that make up the thousands of different proteins required in the human body. Nine of the 20 are considered essential amino acids, meaning they cannot be made by our body and must be obtained through our diet.
Amino acids are molecules the body need to produce the over 100 neurotransmitters in the human brain responsible for enhancing productivity and focus. These neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine) also known as “feel-good chemicals” are as well responsible for mood regulation.
Dopamine, one of the neurotransmitters often called the “motivation molecule,” provides the drive and focus we need to be productive. It is well associated with attention span, focus, follow-through, motivation, and the ability to experience pleasure. A lack of dopamine is associated with fatigue, apathy, lack of focus, forgetfulness, moodiness, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, sugar cravings and lower motivation.
HOW TO BOOST YOUR PRODUCTIVITY NATURALLY
Eat foods rich in Amino acids, Vitamins and Minerals: In order to make dopamine, our body needs tyrosine (a type of amino acid) which can be found in almonds, bananas, avocados, eggs, beans, fish, and chicken. According to the World Health Organization, the foods we eat could have a significant impact on our brain and motivation. The right foods can increase brainpower, motivation, and overall productivity by up to 20 percent.
Micronutrients are the vitamins and minerals found in food that nourish our body and help keep us healthy. They are important in building strong bones and teeth, controlling body fluids inside and outside cells and turning the food we eat into energy for our overall health. We must therefore eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals. The best approach to ensure that we get a variety of vitamins and minerals and in the proper proportion, is to adopt a broad healthy diet. This involves emphasis on fruits and vegetables like watermelons, squash, apples, banana, cherries, kiwis, grapes, tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, mushroom, spinach, whole grains, beans and legumes, plain yoghurt, pea, cottage cheese and dairy products.
Drink Water: Water is enormously useful for enhancing productivity in the workplace. The body is made up of more than 70 percent water. Every function in the body depends on water to work smoothly. Throughout the day, the water storage in the body slowly depletes, and if we do not drink enough water to replenish the lost liquid, our brain and other functions suffer the consequences.
Sleep. To ensure that our brain increases dopamine naturally, we will need to make sure that we are getting enough sleep. This includes setting aside time before bed from the computer or TV screen. Lack of sleep has been shown to reduce concentrations of neurotransmitters, including dopamine, and their receptors. The first barrier to productivity is insufficient sleep. If we do not get enough sleep, our productivity suffers. We will have less energy and react slower. We will feel less creative and focused, and have difficulty making decisions and solving problems.
Exercise regularly. In general, physical exercise is one of the best things we can do for our brain. It increases the production of new brain cells, slows down brain cell aging, and can increase our levels of dopamine. One way to be more productive on the job is to have improved mental health. Regular exercise can help control and prevent feelings of anxiety and depression. When we exercise, our brain releases serotonin that helps us feel better and improves our state of mind, making the stresses of work easier to handle.
Learn to meditate. The overall health benefits of meditation have been demonstrated through hundreds of research studies. Many of those have shown that meditation increases dopamine leading to improved focus and concentration.
Get a massage. It has long been suggested that one way to keep dopamine levels high is to avoid stress, which is nearly impossible currently. To counter the effects of stress, research has demonstrated that massage therapy increases dopamine levels by nearly 30% while decreasing cortisol (a stress hormone) levels.
Listen to music. It is no surprise that listening to music can increase pleasurable feelings, improve mood, boost energy, and help with focus and concentration. Research has demonstrated that much of this is achieved due to an increase in dopamine levels.
Supplement: Our food source is not as whole as they used to be decades ago and our daily requirement for fruits and vegetables have doubled in the past 15yrs. Supplements are a natural way of boosting our immune system and a cost-effective way of keeping ourselves healthy. Supplements are a natural way of boosting our immune system and a way ofhelping to restore balance.
ASTYMIN is a trusted family premium brand and a nutritional supplement with unique combination of essential Amino Acids and Multivitamins formulated with nutrients that;
- Enhance endurance and productivity
- Improve energy metabolism
- Improve focus
- Accelerate physical and mental growth
- Improve the body’s immune systems and quicken recovery from sickness
- Build up body’s resistance against stress
- Helps in formation of new body proteins, enzymes, tissue maintenance and repairs
- Ensures healthy growth.
