Time Management to Boost Brain Performance: Secrets of Work Learned from Brain Science
[Introduction]
Have you ever experienced
getting through work quickly in the morning
but being unable to focus in the afternoon?
That is a common experience, isn't it?
This is
closely related to your brain's condition and the time of day.
It has a significant impact.
In this article,
I will explain
how to use your time
to boost brain performance from the perspective of brain science.
[1. What is the brain's 'Golden Time'?]
The brain has
times of day when it is easier to focus.
This is due to the influence of your internal clock,
known as the 'circadian rhythm'.
Generally, around 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM is
This is considered the "golden time"
when brain performance is at its peak.
During this time period,
memory, concentration, and judgment
are particularly heightened,
making it suitable for creative work as well.
[2. The afternoon is the 'brain's energy-saving mode']
Between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM after lunch,
the brain is prone to drowsiness.
This is because blood flow concentrates
in the internal organs for digestion,
temporarily reducing blood flow to the brain.
During this time, it is effective to schedule:
・Simple tasks
・Routine work
・Travel and miscellaneous chores
Also,
by taking a short nap (power nap),
you can reactivate your brain.
[3. Time Management to Maximize Brain Performance]
Leveraging how the brain works,
here are some key points for time management.
1. Morning is for "thinking"
・Planning, creating materials, writing, etc.
Focus brain-intensive work in the morning
・Completing "today's most important task" in the morning
provides a sense of accomplishment and makes the day flow smoothly
2. Afternoon is for "tasks"
・Routine processing, confirmation work, etc.
Tasks that do not require much concentration should be pushed to the afternoon
・It is also effective to utilize the "second window"
where concentration returns after 3:00 PM
3. Break into 90-minute cycles
It is known that the brainrepeats cycles of concentration and rest approximately every 90 minutes.
By using a timer to segment your time and being conscious of "concentration followed by rest," you will be less likely to accumulate fatigue.
4. How to spend your evening time
There is research suggesting that
creative ideas are more likely to emerge at night.
However,
Avoid blue light for two hours before bed and so on.
Let's design our schedules with the impact on sleep in mind.
[4. 'Quality of Time' Revealed by Research]
According to research from Stanford University,
the first few hours of the day
are when creative thinking is most active
is what has been reported.
Furthermore, research from Yale University
found that 'people who intentionally incorporated "thinking time" into their daily schedule'
had twice the productivity compared to those who did not.
This is a result that has been observed.
It is the 'quality of time' rather than the 'length of time'
that determines how the brain functions.
[Summary]
Brain performance
changes significantly depending on how you use your time
It is known that.
What is important is
to
design 'when and what to do' according to your brain.
✔ Focus on thinking and creativity in the morning
✔ Efficiently handle tasks and routines in the afternoon
✔ Use your brain rhythmically in 90-minute cycles
By incorporating this 'time management' technique,
please try practicing a way of working that your brain will enjoy.
Next time,
I will share
about 'how to rest your brain to prevent decision fatigue'.
Thank you for reading this article.
Drawing on my experience of working as an elementary school teacher for about 30 years,
I am introducing 'Secrets of Work Learned from Neuroscience'.
I have also published other articles in the 'Secrets of Work' series.
Please take a look if you would like.
To you, who read until the end
Thank you.
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I would be overjoyed if you could "Like" or "Follow".
If you leave a comment, I will dance with joy.
Please feel free to drop by again in the future.
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