Productivity Tip:
Try Data-Driven Time Tracking
Step one to being more productive is knowing where your time actually goes. Have you tried using AI-powered time-tracking tools to analyze your habits?
Apps like RescueTime or Clockify monitor your daily activities, categorize tasks, and provide insights into your most and least productive hours. Armed with this data, you can make smarter decisions about when to tackle challenging tasks or schedule breaks.
Give it a try and let us know if it helps you understand how you’re spending your time—and how you could spend it better!
Routine Breakdown
Anna Parker-Naples, Founder of Influential Breathwork, Award-Winning Entrepreneur & Wellness Expert
A Breathwork Expert’s Mindful Mornings
Breathwork expert Anna Parker-Naples says her morning routine is “the foundation” of her productivity and wellbeing. Does it involve breathwork? You bet! “It combines breathwork, mindfulness, and intentionality to create a powerful start to each day,” she says.
The Routine:
- Starts her day with a 5-min breathwork session before getting out of bed. This involves deep, diaphragmatic breathing to oxygenate the body and mind. “It’s like pressing a reset button on my nervous system, preparing me for whatever challenges lie ahead.”
- Writes down three things she’s grateful for. “It’s a powerful way to frame the day and remind myself of life’s abundance, even during challenging times.”
- Takes a 2-min cold shower or dip. “It’s my daily act of courage. It’s uncomfortable, but it builds resilience and teaches me to embrace discomfort – a skill that translates to all areas of life.”
- Does a 10-minute mindful tea ritual. “This ritual is about more than the tea – it’s a daily practice in mindfulness. It helps me cultivate presence and attention to detail, skills that are crucial in my work with clients.”
- Sets her intentions for the day, visualizing her goals and the impact she wants to make. “Combined with the clarity from my breathwork practice, this helps me stay focused and aligned with my purpose throughout the day.”
Why it works:
- Science supports the benefits of breathwork. A 2023 meta-analysis suggested it can decrease stress and improve mental health.
- Gratitude is also a game-changer for mental health, as shown in many studies. A quick morning gratitude practice is enough to make a difference, that’s why it’s included in our Panda Planner.
- Many people swear by cold showers, and research shows they may be particularly effective when used in conjunction with breathing techniques.
- Rituals lessen anxiety and give us a sense of control.
“By prioritizing these practices, I ensure that I’m showing up as my best self for my clients, my business, and my family,” says Anna. “It’s not about adding more to a busy schedule; it’s about creating a mindset and energy that makes everything else more effective and fulfilling.”