Source

Common Challenges For Teleworkers

It is well established that concentration and energy are two MAJOR factors in the productivity of telework. We need sufficient energy to sit for hours thinking, listening, watching, and typing away at the computer and/or other devices. All of these sensory consumption processes require ENERGY, and that energy needs to be sustained. At the same time, we must also maintain our concentration/focus on the tasks at hand, and this ALSO depends on the energy resources we have available to us. As our MAIN energy input is food (and drink) it is important for us to explore the numerous different types of HIGHEST OCTANE nutrients which we can consume to produce the HIGHEST - and most EFFICIENT - amount of energy to fuel our daily teleworking efforts and achieve maximum output.

Now, the "go to" drink for MOST people in the modern world is coffee, and coffee is indeed a productivity POWER-BOOSTER in terms of productivity - otherwise "mega-corporations" like Starbucks wouldn't be taking over the world right now. In fact, serious athletes know very well that coffee (with its high caffeine content) is a very effective nutritional supplement which is scientifically proven to enhance performance. I will be writing a post - or perhaps more than one - dedicated to the productivity-enhancing effects of coffee in the near future. However, coffee also has some downsides which are important to be aware of. Some people, like myself, are hyper-sensitive to caffeine, and this creates problems with anxiety, in addition to actually DECREASING concentration due to the increase in general agitation and hyperarousal ( or "jitteriness") produced by the higher caffeine level of coffee compared to other caffeinated drinks. Coffee also significantly stimulates the adrenal glands, and as many people in the modern world are suffering - to varying degrees - from "adrenal fatigue" (primarily due to stress and sub-par diet) coffee can pose significant challenges to both health and productivity for such people, and is STRONGLY recommended against in such cases.

Source

Health Benefits Of Green Tea For Teleworkers

But there is hope, and that hope comes in the form of tea - specifically green tea. In general, tea has roughly HALF of the caffeine of coffee (depending on the type of tea). But, more importantly, green tea, specifically, contains VARIOUS phytochemicals and amino acids which act to both TAME the stimulant effect of the caffeine (without taking away the energy-enhancing properties of that caffeine) AS WELL AS providing some calming and concentration-boosting effects.

Source

One of the main amino acids which calms the mind and boosts concentration is L-theanine. L-theanine enhances alpha brain waves, which are frequencies associated with relaxation and enhanced concentration. In the modern world our brain wave activity tends to be dominated by beta wave frequencies, which are those most integrated with the more hyper-reactive alertness required to cope with the common stressors of daily modern living. Operating in beta-dominant brain wave states we are more reactive to eternal stimuli, and as teleworkers we have LOTS of stimuli coming at us throughout the day. We are consistently bombarded with various frequencies of electromagnetic waves through interaction with computers, and other devices, which disturbs our natural brain wave activity. The result of this is that we end up in a hyperaroused state as the day progresses. The L-theanine in green tea has be so effective in calming the mind and enhancing concentration that it has been used by Buddhist monks for thousands of years to assist them in their daily meditation practice in monasteries throughout the world.

The calming effects of green tea have also been shown to enhance creativity, mainly through its effect on brain wave activity. In alpha-dominant brain wave states the brain is more relaxed and open to non-linear thought processes. So for those teleworkers who work in creative fields (ex. graphic design, art, music composition, photography, writing, etc.) green tea can significantly enhance productivity and quality of output.

Source

How To Integrate Green Tea Into Your Daily Telework Routine

Brewing loose leaf green tea in the traditional Chinese "Gong Fu" brewing style is the IDEAL way to incorporate green tea into your daily telework routine. Gong Fu brewing not only produces the best quality - and tastiest - tea, but the relaxing nature of the actual brewing process provides an excellent meditative component to your work routine. As we all know that taking regular breaks during our telework routine significantly boosts productivity and overall health, it makes perfect sense to add something as fun and relaxing as Gong Fu (green) tea brewing to the mix. We can take a few 20-30 minutes breaks spread throughout the day to do a nice, relaxing Gong Fu session, and come back to our work PHYSICALLY and MENTALLY refreshed and energized. I personally take several such breaks away from my work terminal through the day, and then I also have a Gai Wan and kettle next to my computer so that I can sip on some fine tea while I work.

Here is an excellent video from the experts over at Mei Leaf teahouse, in London, which guides you in detail through the Gong Fu brewing process for green tea. Enjoy...

@transcript-junky

How to Brew Green Tea Properly