We all know how important music can be in setting a mood – just think of your favourite K-drama, or even a bad night out with friends because of poor music choice. That’s why when you’re working, it’s best to not just play music you’re unfamiliar with (to reduce the chances of you singing along to it, of course), but to play soundtracks from video games.

The music is designed to keep you hooked in the game and help players advance to the next level, so why not use it to your advantage? If you’re not sure where to start, the answer is simple: YouTube.

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Yes, you read that right. This trick might seem counterintuitive, but those adorable puppy videos you’ve been distracting yourself with could actually be helping you keep focus! According to a study published in 2012 by a team of scientists from Hiroshima University, students who were shown images of anything cute recorded a better performance than when they hadn’t been exposed to the visual stimuli.

What does this mean? It means that the time you spend every day searching for adorable chubby babies might be helping you be more productive. So the next time your boss catches you cooing at videos of kittens mewing, you’d be scientifically backed up when you say, “I’m just doing my work!”  

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This goes hand-in-hand with the previous point, but we thought it deserved a special shout-out. We all know that we should take breaks, but sometimes we end up glued to the computer screen, not quite working, but not being truly productive either. If you’ve ever felt the back-and-forth of “I should be doing work but I can’t bring myself to do it”, then what you need is a break – a real one. Watch a YouTube video, or go to a quiet spot in the office (all the better if your workspace provides a nap lounge), or find something that gives you the respite you need.

Then head back to your desk, set the timer, tackle your tasks with no distractions, knowing that in an hour or so, you get to take your next quick break.

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Okay, not literally. You don’t have to go to MacRitchie on a Monday in your carefully planned office outfit, but if taking frequent breaks isn’t helping your need to get out of the office, then do so. Even if it’s for a quick walk around the building, some fresh air might boost your energy, if only for the two hours you have left to your work day.

Bonus: If your job requires a creative element, this might give impetus to inspiration!

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Now, we here at herworldPLUS love our hacks, whether it’s health or beauty related, so this little bit of aromatherapy is definitely something to note down, especially if you’re a lover of citrusy scents. Citrus essential oils don’t just help boost your concentration levels, they double up as a mosquito repellant – especially important to us women with Zika spreading so prevalently.

If, however, you’re not too fond of citrus, a quick check on the web can determine what the best oils are to use to keep you focused on your task. After all, a great smelling workplace is not something to overlook!

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