Plus size business owners, are you falling apart? No, not today, not anymore! We all know that building a business is hard work. You’re juggling customer calls, social media content, financial spreadsheets, and trying to remember if you ate lunch. Add to this the pressure of living in a body that society is constantly telling you to “fix” instead of fuel. That’s a lot.
But here’s the problem. Productivity isn’t about working yourself until you drop or fitting into a hustle culture mold that was never designed with you in mind. It’s about working smarter while respecting your body, your energy, and your real life.
These five productivity hacks aren’t general advice you’ve seen a thousand times. These are tailored for us plus-size entrepreneurs who refuse to choose between success and happiness.
Pull up a chair and have a cup of coffee. Because we have derived tips for success based on research backed by experts.
5 productivity hacks to get the most out of your day
Design your workspace around your physical body
Most office furniture is not made with curves in mind. That flimsy desk chair from Target? It’s probably causing more problems than you realize. Here’s what the science actually shows: Employees with well-designed workstations. Achieve up to 17.7% higher productivity. This can be improved by nearly 20% just by sitting in a chair that actually fits your body.
Invest in a good ergonomic chair with proper weight capacity and adjustment features. After marathon training, your back, hips, and shoulders will be strengthened. If you’re thinking, “But standing desks are just a trend,” think again. The CDC has discovered sit-and-stand desks. Back and neck pain reduced by 54% If people spend just 66 minutes less sitting each day.
Consider a standing desk converter or an adjustable desk. Standing for part of the day improves your blood circulation and energy levels, even if you don’t have to be on your feet all day. one Track the 7-week study A study of employees who used standing desks found that they experienced significantly less stress and fatigue, and actually felt more energized throughout the workday. Place the monitor at eye level to prevent neck strain.
Don’t forget about actual comfort. Keep a supportive cushion nearby, adjust the height of your chair so your feet are flat on the floor, and make sure you have enough room to move freely. A workspace that fits your body isn’t a luxury. This is a basic requirement for sustainable productivity.
Time blocking not only by tasks but also by energy patterns
If you’re not a morning person, forget about the “wake up at 5 a.m. to work” nonsense. The most productive entrepreneurs work with their natural energy rhythms, rather than fighting them.
Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, your chronotype is influenced by your genetics and determined by your circadian rhythm. scientist 351 loci identified Chronotype, scientifically speaking, describes whether you are a morning person or a night person. literally In your DNA.
Track your energy levels throughout the week and see when you feel most alert, creative, and social. Schedule your most demanding cognitive tasks during peak energy hours. According to research Optimal circadian time allows for much better performance on tasks that require attention, and more accurate and rapid mental performance on new tasks.
Save administrative tasks like replying to emails and organizing files for low-energy time. This approach respects how the body actually functions throughout the day.
Create intentional breaks between intensive tasks. It may sound crazy, but taking a serious break every 90 minutes will actually increase your overall output.
This isn’t just advice to make you feel better…Sleep researcher Nathaniel Kleitman has discovered that our brains naturally work at approximately the following times: 90-minute cycle of high-intensity activity This is followed by a recovery period. Even better? Experts who have adjusted their work around these 90-minute cycles report 40% increase in productivity Compare that to something that sands at random intervals.
Just like your muscles after a workout, your brain needs recovery time. During these breaks, your body is doing all sorts of important maintenance work: delivering fresh energy to your cells, rebalancing your blood sugar and hormones, and flushing out toxins.
Think of it like this Ground crew inside your body Get into high gear to prepare for the next round. Plus-size bodies often deal with additional physical demands, making strategic rest even more important.
Prepare meals like a CEO, not a diet blogger
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Most of the advice on meal prep is flimsy food culture garbage that assumes you want to shrink yourself. That’s not what this is about. This means having nutritious food on hand so you don’t end up ordering expensive takeout at 9pm just because you forgot to eat.
Here’s what the data really shows: People who follow structured eating patterns. A reported 17% increase in task completion rates compared to animals that graze randomly throughout the day. And get this… Discovered by researchers at Harvard University They found that increased fruit and vegetable consumption was correlated with a 25% increase in workplace productivity. 25 percent! That’s amazing.
Dedicate two hours on Sunday to preparing flexible meals. Cook large amounts of protein, chop vegetables, prepare grains and starches. I then mix and match throughout the week based on what looks good. This prevents both food waste and the decision fatigue that comes with coming up with meals when you’re already overwhelmed.
Keep truly satisfying snacks within easy reach of your workspace. Nuts, fruit, cheese, crackers, anything that will give you energy without stopping for 30 minutes.
Here’s something wild: Even with 2% dehydration Cognitive abilities such as memory and attention may decline. Hunger reduces productivity faster than anything else. Plus-size entrepreneurs are forced to make good decisions about food without adding to poverty.
Move your body in a way that feels good
Exercise doesn’t have to mean punishing or trying to change the size of your body. Productivity exercise means increasing blood flow, reducing stress, and maintaining the physical fitness you need for entrepreneurship. that’s it.
Find a movement that you actually enjoy. Maybe it’s dancing to your favorite playlist between meetings, doing some light stretching while on the phone, or taking a walk around your neighborhood to clear your mind. Systematic reviews in 2022 An analysis of multiple studies found that active microbreaks, or short, small exercise sessions, lead to improvements in physical, mental, and metabolic function without negatively impacting productivity.
Most of the benefits of movement come from consistency. do not have strength.
Try exercises you can easily do at your desk, like seated leg lifts, shoulder rotations, or standing hip circles. Set a timer to remind yourself to move every hour. of american heart association We found that workers who travel by the hour are 42% more productive. 42 percent! Just get up and move around for a few minutes.
The problem is: 2 active microbreaks per hour It can have a positive impact on both mind and body, the effect is comparable to a long break, and it does not impair productivity.
Even just 2 minutes of exercise can help you overcome the physical stagnation that can significantly reduce your productivity in the afternoon. Your body is designed to move regularly throughout the day, rather than sitting in the same position for eight hours straight.
Protect your sleep like it’s your most important client
This is one of our top productivity hacks. That’s because we as a team believe in getting a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep effectively reduces productivity more than any other factor. But entrepreneurs wear fatigue like a badge of honor. This is a truth backed by real data. You can’t defeat basic human biology.
Hult International Business School surveyed more than 1,000 professionals and found that those who slept on average for just 6 hours and 28 minutes had a harder time focusing in meetings, took longer to complete tasks, and had a much harder time generating new ideas.
What the brain needs is roughly 7-9 hours of sleep According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, it works optimally. And this is not just a feeling of fatigue.
Create a shutdown ritual that tells your body that work is done. Close your laptop, change your clothes, and dim the lights. Anything that helps your nervous system transition from work mode to rest mode. According to research Being able to psychologically detach from work after clocking out reduces the negative effects of work-related stress.
Plus-size people often experience sleep problems due to conditions such as sleep apnea, making quality sleep even more important. Keep your bedroom cool, invest in snug, comfortable bedding, and consider placing supportive pillows. If you’re worried about your sleep quality, talk to your doctor. actually listening For plus size patients.
Better sleep means sharper thinking, better mood regulation, and sustained energy at work. better sleep It has also been linked to improved memory, knowledge acquisition, and learning.
Even a short nap can have a huge positive impact on your work performance. We can’t say for sure, but sleep deprivation may be sabotaging your business more than any previous marketing strategy.
bring it all together
Running a successful business while respecting your health doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s the small, consistent choices that add up over time. These productivity hacks work because they recognize the reality that you’re running a business with a plus-size body that deserves comfort, nutrition, rest, and respect.
The data supports this. Ergonomic workspaces increase productivity by nearly 18%. Tapping into your natural chronotype can increase your output by 40%. Strategic breaks increase focus without sacrificing performance. Proper nutrition can increase productivity at work by up to 25%. Regular movement increases efficiency by 42%. And quality sleep prevents billions in lost productivity while sharpening cognitive function.
The entrepreneurial journey is demanding enough without adding unnecessary suffering. What’s the first productivity hack you’re trying? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: The Curvy Fashionista – thecurvyfashionista.com
