Productivity is something you have to make use of. You can either feel it in your mind, or in your body, or both. When it’s there, you have to be able to recognise it.
But can you activate it? In other words: how do you go from potato mode to action mode? By walking or hiking outside.
I’m sure there are more ways to activate it, but this is what I know about hiking.
Before COVID I made occasional Sunday walks in the woods. During COVID I started walking almost everyday, like everyone else. I never stopped doing that. I do sometimes forget about it, specially when I’m busy. But recently I discovered something new. I started doing hikes at 8am in the morning. On the days that I walk for about an hour, I am so much more productive, all the way until dinnertime. It really gets the brain started.
On days that I walk for about an hour, I am so much more productive, all the way until dinnertime.
Also, there is word of an otter having settled itself in my local park and I really want to find it and take it home. I mean leave it alone and look at it. Wave at it. Maybe photograph it? This alone is reason enough to get up and go outside.
And then there is baking. Or cooking. But preferably baking. This I do when I notice nothing whatsoever will come of working with my head. Nothing whatsoever. When this happens, I close my laptop, my novel, my notebook and open my recipe book. I check what supplies I have and start baking.
Baking has the benefit of feeling useful again when nothing else works, except folding laundry. Easy choice :)
With baking, you do need to use your head, but not too much. You put on some music (also beneficial as we know, read about it HERE), you see what’s in your cupboard (check for eggs!) and you start.
Baking has the benefit of feeling useful again when nothing else works, except maybe also folding laundry.
Recently I started the process of baking my first ever sourdough bread. Not just any bread but a g l u t e n f r e e sourdough bread! Is that even possible, you think? Yes. When it comes to glutenfree food (I have to, I’m a celiac) in general my motto is: no compromise in terms of taste and nutritiousness. I aim to make glutenfree bakings as good as regular bakings. I think I came pretty close this time and I can tell you there is little more rewarding than baking, seeing, touching, smelling and tasting this broodje.
I know baking is not for everyone. The good news is that anything you can and like to make with your hands is productive and just as valuable as working with your head. The thing is, you need to start moving your body more. I know it’s not possible to get up and start baking at the office, but you can go for a hike to the bakery and get something nice during your break. Just go outside.
Now is there any scientific proof to back this all up? Yes on the hiking (and sports in general), don’t know about baking, google it if you like. I mean ask Chat.
Several years ago when I worked at an ad agency, I had the chance to make a culture video for Backslash (OAG / TBWA's cultural intelligence unit https://backslash.com) about the benefits of hiking in nature and therapy in nature. My dear family member Tina Brouwer, who is in the video, spoke the legendary words:
“Nature does not need us, but we do need nature.”
Watch the Backslash video on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfhVqaKb-FQ
And then go. Do it. Do it again. Experience the benefit. Don’t think about it too much. Make it a habit. Recognise your productivity. Et voilá.
Co ☕️🌳🍞
p.s. follow me on Instagram for more glutenfree food, I'm @glutenfreeco https://www.instagram.com/glutenfreeco/
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