Have you had a tough time being productive at home in quarantine? With so much time, it can seem like pushing things off makes sense. We’ve all been there: one minute it’s Friday, the next it’s Monday and you’ve binge watched two seasons of The Office. Don’t worry! CN Blue and Gold has 10 tips to help.

Tip #1 – The Blue Light Nightmare
SleepFoundation reports that teens need 8 to 10 hours of sleep. Sadly, only 15% of us get enough of sleep. This is due to blue light. If you’ve never heard of blue light before, you’re not alone. Blue wavelengths of light boost attention. Our phones, laptops, and yes – school iPads emit blue light. Our brains need melatonin to induce sleep, and when blue light blocks it, we want to remain awake. Removing exposure to blue light an hour before bed increases your chance of falling and staying asleep.

Tip #2 – The Pomodoro Technique
You’re faced with a lot of free-time, so invest in some studying. If you do, try the Pomodoro Technique. It’s a time management strategy that improves focus and productivity. This might help with your summer reading. It involves working for a 25 minute “pomodoro session” and taking a 5 minute break. You repeat until the work is done. You’ll get more done in a small amount of time and your work won’t be sloppy.

Tip #3 – Eat Your Broccoli
As kids, we wished we could skip to dessert and throw out our broccoli. You probably learned to eat your veggies, but this mindset hasn’t disappeared. ‘Saving the best for last’ is great when getting things done. Many people do the hard stuff first. Once it’s done, you feel motivated. So finish the essay for Mrs. Gibson before playing your clarinet!

Tip #4 – Seriously, Eat Your Broccoli
If you haven’t been eating your veggies, this is for you. Power foods like blueberries, broccoli, and nuts are packed with antioxidants that strengthen your brain. Without key nutrients, your brain can’t maintain cognitive function. So grab something healthy when you raid the fridge in quarantine boredom.

Tip #5 – What’re You Waiting For?
Productivity isn’t about doing your homework. You feel productive when your day is well spent. Maybe you got a guitar for your birthday years ago and it’s been sitting in your closet. Learn some chords! Have a pair of rollerblades, but gave up on using them? You know what they say: try try again!

Tip #6 – Namaste
If you feel down and miss your friends, meditate. It improves productivity and boosts self-esteem. If you feel confident, you get things done. Also, when you start something, your mindset predicts your results. If you think you won’t do a good job, your results will be lackluster.

Tip #7 – Best Results
If you can, don’t say yes to every favor, plan, or idea proposed to you. We work better when focused on one thing at a time, so multitasking might not be the best idea. Instead, take your time, since you have so much of it, and see better results.

Tip #8 – Mess Creates Stress
Where you work can affect how you work. Before you start, clean up any mess around you. Throw out tissues, put away pens and pencils, and make your bed. Clutter can keep you from doing your best. Also, make sure to choose a place that’s quiet.

Tip #9 – Curiosity Killed the Cat, Not the Man
If you don’t know what to do with your time, tap into your inner kid. As kids, we asked why to everything. Try doing that again. Google your questions about everything and the answers will lead to more. The more you seek, the more you learn, and you’re likely to find something interesting you want to try, like a new recipe, craft, or hobby.

Tip #10 – The True Most Important Meal of the Day
Lunch is the new breakfast… Well, sort of. Of course, eat your breakfast, but when we aren’t at school or work, we tend to forget to eat lunch. It isn’t scheduled into our day. Make sure you find some time to take a break, grab some food, and take an hour to yourself. Read, go on your phone, or watch TV so that you don’t overwork yourself and then get back to the grind.

Well there you have it, 10 easy tips so you can be more productive. Remember one thing above all: take care of yourself. You’re only human and you’re doing a great job! Be proud that you want to keep improving. Good luck!