Its almost that time of year again. The time when goals are set, a new year begins, and resolutions are made. Your list of resolutions might consist of things like eating healthier, losing weight, or learning a new hobby.

But, what about your workplace New Years resolutions? You cant forget about those.

One workplace resolution you cant forget to add to your list is being more productive. And if you want to check this resolution off your list by year-end, you need to get creative and find new ways to boost productivity.

The new year is a time to become a new and improved you. If you want to start the year off on the right foot, take the following changes into consideration. Here are six healthy ways you can become a better (and more productive) you in the new year.

Do you know one of those employees who typically skips lunch breaks to power through a project? What about someone who works open to close without taking a break at all? You might think ditching lunch breaks (or breaks in general) helps boost productivity. If so, youre making a rookie mistake.

Nearly 90% of employees claim that taking lunch breaks helps them feel refreshed and ready to work. But, 38% of employees dont feel encouraged to take a lunch break.

Your body needs rest to function properly and be productive. And like your body, your brain needs a little rest throughout the day to perform well, too. If you want to boost productivity, cut your brain some slack and take a dang break!

If youre a workaholic, you might not be completely convinced about taking breaks. So, here are a few ways that taking a break can help you bounce back during the day. Breaks can:

When it comes to taking lunch breaks, every little bit helps. If youre nervous about leaving your work alone for an hour, start off small with a 10- or 15-minute break. Then, you can work your way up to longer breaks to give your brain some extra time to decompress and relax.

When it comes to staying on track and being productive, you cant be a negative Ned or Nancy. If you want to give yourself a productivity pick-me-up, you need positive vibes.

Positivity can help drive productivity. According to one study, happy employees are 12% more productive. On the other hand, unhappy workers are 10% less productive.

Being positive can turn you into one of those happy workers that enjoys a 12% more productive workday. Positivity can also spark creativity, improve collaboration, and help you overcome challenges.

To stay as positive as possible at work, try out a few of these tactics:

If you start looking at the bright side and seeing the glass as half full, youll be one step closer to a more productive you.

Everyone gets it. And, you cant always avoid it. Thats right, were talking about stress.

Whether you like it or not, stress is inevitable. But the good news is that instead of constantly trying to fight stress off, you can use your energy to manage it.

If you want to be more productive going into the new year, become a pro at stress management. Not learning how to effectively manage your stress can put a dent in your physical, emotional, and mental health.

To manage your stressors, try taking the following strategies for a whirl:

Pinpoint your top stressors and make a list of them. That way, you can nip stressors in the bud before they spiral out of control.

Its no secret that staying hydrated is an important part of being healthy. But, failing to stay hydrated (at work and at home) can quickly derail your productivity.

According to one study, individuals who drank enough water every day were 14% more productive at work.

Dehydration can hugely impact your workplace performance. Not drinking enough water can:

If you want to be more productive in the new year, you must hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Become BFFs with H2O. Keep that water bottle filled to the brim, and keep chugging along with your work.

Sleep is no joke. Enough sleep can help motivate you and maximize workplace performance. But, bad sleep can leave your productivity crying out for help.

Chances are, youve probably taken sleep for granted at some point in your life. And the truth is, when you dont get a good nights sleep, youre not the only one who suffers from it. Your productivity suffers from your lack of sleep, too.

With more sleep, you can enjoy better concentration, less stress, and fewer health problems down the road (e.g., heart disease).

If you want to see your productivity levels soar through the roof in the new year, youve got to catch more ZZZs. You can improve your sleep habits by committing to a new nighttime routine. This means doing the following before you get a visit from the sandman:

Keep in mind, some sleep strategies that work for one person might not work for another. Dont be afraid to experiment with different sleep tactics and try something new.

So you might be wondering, How do exercise and productivity tie in together? You might also think, Surely, my exercise routine will not impact my productivity levels at work. If you are in this mindset, you need to get out of it ASAP.

Exercise and productivity go hand in hand. Heres some food for thought what are all of the benefits of exercising? Reduces stress? Check. Refreshes your mind? Check. Improves overall health? Check, check, check! So why wouldnt you use exercise to your advantage to give your productivity a boost?

Consistently exercising and maintaining a healthy lifestyle in general (e.g., working out and eating right) can improve your productivity in no time.

Consider including some form of exercise in your daily routine. This could be anything from doing some push-ups to going on an afternoon run.

If its hard for you to squeeze exercise into your schedule, start off small. Try going on walks after work or picking up some weights while you watch television. You can even try picking up some weights at work or doing desk exercises.

When it comes to exercise, every little bit helps, especially if youre trying to build up productivity.

Read more:
6 Healthy Ways to Boost Productivity Going Into a New Year - Thrive Global