2-minute read
When work gets busy, our instinct is often to push harder: focus more, apply more discipline, reach for another coffee. But what if sustainable productivity is less about willpower and more about understanding how our energy actually works?
That was at the heart of Q5’s webinar with Clemence Cleave and Julie Newman, exploring personal productivity and resilience through the lens of how our bodies and brains actually work.
Rethinking productivity and energy at work
One of the most reassuring takeaways was that productivity isn’t simply a matter of willpower. Our energy naturally fluctuates throughout the day, influenced by factors including our circadian rhythm and the sleep pressure that builds while we’re awake.
That familiar afternoon slump? Rather than reaching for another coffee and forcing our way through it, we can work with it. Understanding when we are naturally most alert can help us make better choices about when to tackle complex problems, hold important conversations or deliver high-stakes work.
The gut-brain connection and workplace performance
The discussion also explored the fascinating relationship between nutrition, the gut and the brain. The gut-brain axis is a constant two-way conversation that can influence everything from mood to our fight-or-flight response.
What and how we eat can therefore have implications not only for our wellbeing, but also for concentration, decision-making and consistency at work.
Small habits that can help protect your energy
Improving our energy doesn’t necessarily require dramatic lifestyle changes. Small habits can make a meaningful difference: getting outside into natural light early in the day, thinking carefully about when we reach for caffeine, and allowing enough time between eating and going to sleep.
These everyday choices can help us think differently about how we manage and protect our energy over the course of the day.
Building more sustainable productivity
The bigger message from the conversation is a simple one: sustainable productivity isn’t about being “on” all day. It’s about understanding your energy and working with it, rather than against it.
Whether you’re looking to improve your own productivity or simply understand what helps you perform and feel at your best, the webinar offers practical ideas grounded in how our bodies actually work.
Watch the full webinar with Clemence and Julie to explore the science, practical advice and everyday changes that can help you manage your energy more intelligently.
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