Here's how you can optimize your energy levels as a designer throughout the day.

Fuel your creativity with a powerful morning ritual. Start with a hydrating drink and a healthy breakfast to kickstart your metabolism. Get some sunlight exposure to naturally boost alertness. Plan your day by prioritizing tasks and setting realistic goals. Exercise, even a quick yoga flow, gets your blood pumping and improves focus. Finally, don't forget to pack a healthy lunch – brainpower thrives on good nutrition throughout the day. This energizing routine sets you up for a productive and inspired design journey.

One thing that I find very helpful is to maintain a schedule/ ritual every morning. This ensures that I have something to look up to. I personally look forward to making myself a cup of milk tea every single morning. It’s like a boost to start the day and I constantly without fail always incorporate this routine every single morning. When I have a drink in my hand, I know I can get the day started.

I can agree with that. Of course sunlight, hydration and activity are important. But what I've noticed for myself is that maximising my creativity in the morning, which is so important for us, is the evening and the sleep before. Making sure I start the day with a clear head and a full energy bar makes everything easier for me.

As a designer, your workspace can make or break your energy levels. Here's how to set it up for success: First, position yourself near a window to bathe in natural light, a mood and alertness booster. Next, adjust your chair and desk to promote good posture and prevent fatigue. To minimize mental strain, declutter your space for a clean visual environment. Plants, artwork, or inspiring elements can personalize your zone and spark creativity. Finally, adjust the room temperature to your comfort level, as extremes can zap your energy. By incorporating these tips, you can design your workspace to fuel your design flow throughout the day.

As a designer, I can conquer my day by time blocking! First, I'll identify those brain-draining tasks (client calls, admin stuff) and schedule them for low-energy slots. Then, I'll block prime creative hours for design sprints, maximizing focus when I'm feeling most inspired. Short breaks between blocks will keep my mind fresh, and buffer time lets me flex for unexpected tasks. By tailoring my schedule to my energy flow, I can design with focus and avoid burnout throughout the day.

During my last project, I created a small gamification with coworkers where we played short games every 90 minutes. These breaks kept us refreshed and fostered a positive vibe.

That is true! To get going again the next day, you have to relax. It's not easy to "switch on" relaxation mode. Yes, small rituals such as a walk or meditation can help. However, sometimes sport is better for me. Sometimes yoga or Pilates is enough. But in my experience, exercise-intensive sport, such as cardio training, can be particularly effective in helping to reduce stress and get into relaxation mode. What works for me depends mainly on how well or badly the day went and therefore where my energy level is at the end of the day.

One thing I always do to keep my fashion level up, is going out and embrace the beauty of the aura around me, finding the beauty in ugly things too..