4 Tips to Stay Energized for a Demanding Work Day
It’s no secret that a huge portion of the U.S. workforce depends on caffeine to get through the day. For public relations professionals, keeping pace with client communications, deadlines, media relations and social media demands 100 percent alertness. A grammatical error or subpar tweet can be a costly mistake, so public relations practitioners take every measure to ensure their focus is long-lasting. In fact, surveys have shown PR is the second-most caffeinated industry in the country.
From international client calls at the crack of dawn to crisis communications fire drills at midnight to securing a spokesperson to meet a reporter’s deadline, PR pros must take out all the stops to ensure they’re geared up and ready to tackle a challenge. While we love the fast pace, we know the struggle all too well. So we’ve compiled four tips, aside from drinking coffee, to stay energized in the fast-paced world of PR:
- Get a quick workout in before work. Each work day a PR pro has to hit the ground running to finish a project before a deadline, so it’s necessary to get over any early morning drowsiness immediately and finish the assignment with time to spare. Caffeine usually does the trick, but anything from a few pushups to running a mile can shake off a sluggish start to the day. A bout of exercise increases your focus for the next activity, so you might not even need that cup of Joe to start your day.
- Listen to some stimulating tunes. Classical music like Beethoven or Aaron Copeland can stimulate your mind. It will relax you while enticing your brain to think about other things. There’s no hook to distract you, and the harmony of so many instruments playing together soothes your brain. If classical music doesn’t work for you, try my personal favorite – the Tahoe Tweezer.
- Get some fresh air. Even if it’s cloudy outside, spending time outdoors can give you a vitamin D boost, which brings mood and energy improvements. The National Institutes of Health recommends getting 10 to 15 minutes of sun each day. It’s also a great opportunity to get out of the office for a moment to refresh your mind.
- Master the power nap. According to The Boston Globe, taking a brief nap helps rejuvenate your neural drive. A short afternoon catnap of 20 minutes yields mostly Stage 2 sleep, which enhances alertness and concentration, elevates mood and sharpens motor skills.
Whether you’re napping, working out, jamming to some Mozart or going for a quick walk outside, PR pros can use these tips to boost energy and meet those critical media and client deadlines with time to spare. The world of PR moves quickly, so it’s important to factor in these regimens to ensure you stay on top of your game.
