Giving 110% has never been easy, but some say modern life (and all our attendant gadgets) make giving that kind of laser-like focus on our jobs that much harder, and more exhausting.

With that in mind, we thought we’d share some of the tips we’ve learned over the years about maintaining focus and energy at work, and even a few ways to boost yourself when you need it the most.

We have also asked a few experts their advice about what helps them keep their energy levels up in the workplace.

And, because scented candles are really our strong suit, we’ve included a few notes on what scents you should surround yourself and your environment with in order to make each of these tips more effective.

Man working at his desk

1. Prioritise ruthlessly

Before you start work, assess which of your tasks will actually achieve any useful results, and put anything that won’t in the ‘if there is time later’ file. Assign a specific priority number to the remaining tasks, and do them one at a time until you’ve finished the list.

You’ll be amazed how freeing it can be knowing you are working on important matters! Of course, you’ll have to get to the low priority tasks in time. But then again, that simply makes them high priority tasks for another day.

To help you maintain focus during those high priority tasks, why not to try burning Rosemary and Bergamot.

2. Get some exercise – preferably before work

There is no such thing as ‘mental energy’, really. The energy levels you feel are entirely dependent on, and derived from, the health and wellbeing of your body. Regular exercise doesn’t only make you physically healthier, it boosts your mood and your ability to focus effort on important tasks.

There is also the phenomenon that used to be called ‘runner’s high’. Immediately after a good workout, your body is full of adrenaline and other natural chemicals which boost your mood and energy levels dramatically. Take advantage of that while it lasts!

Grapefruit and Jasmine scents will help extend that runner’s high long after you’ve slipped off the running shoes.

3. Rest well the night before

If you don’t sleep right, you can’t ‘awake’ right, either. Let’s face it, most of us aren’t teenagers anymore. We need a solid six to eight hours of sleep every night to be at full strength during the day. If you are feeling listless and unmotivated during the day, the blame might be in your nightly routine.

If you have trouble sleeping, burning a little Camomile, Violet, Orris and Honey blend before bed can help you relax and unwind before you get your head down. But remember to snuff the candle before you go sleep.

4. Take quick breaks throughout the day

No one can keep up their energy all day long without a break. Step away from your desk for lunch, and at least every two hours throughout the day – and this break from the routine can give your brain the chance to relax and recharge.

Whether you’re just nipping to the kitchen to make a round of hot drinks or doing a lap of the car park; regular breaks can help you stay alert and energised.

Stimulating scents such as Eucalyptus and Juniper can really help perk you up during your short, regular breaks.

Business woman taking an ice cream break.

5. Eat properly

Just like sleep, this is something many of us seem to compromise these days. When work is busiest, we are more likely to ‘make do’ with a pastry or a packet of something from a vending machine rather than eat a proper lunch. Worse, we might do the same for breakfast in order to ‘get an extra hour in’ in the morning. This is deeply counter-productive.

Poor eating habits can slow you down even more than poor sleeping habits. The two combined can lead to massively reduced energy levels and serious health problems. Take the time to eat three nutritious meals a day.

Fresh and delicious scents such as Wild Fig and Orange Blossom can provide a great prompt, reminding you to eat healthily.

6. Make sure you’re getting plenty of vitamins and minerals

Related to the above point, celebrity fitness trainer Russ Howe, stresses the importance of consuming plenty of vitamins and minerals.

“The biggest energy killer at work is something that few people notice - lack of vitamins and minerals. We get into the habit of eating the same things for lunch each day, or picking up endless snack foods from the workplace cafeteria, and as such we leave our body deprived of vitamins, and leave ourselves feeling under the weather, lacking in focus, and just generally tired. I recommend packing your lunch and snacks with plenty of fruit and green vegetables for maximum energy.

“While certain fitness experts talk about doing workouts at your desk on your break, I find this can be impractical for the majority of people, so one thing I always recommend clients do instead is to get outside for a walk on their break time. It's easy, takes just 5-10 minutes and I guarantee you'll return to your office feeling refreshed, more focused and ready to go.”

With vitamins and minerals taking care of your physical health, scents such as Pomegranate can help your spiritual wellbeing.

7. Make a difference

Our final point comes from global speaker and author, Terence Mauri, who believes the satisfaction of making a difference is a great energy booster.

Leaders who are passionate (they use their heart) and professional (they use their brains) act like catalysts within a company; they raise the tempo, energy, and therefore the results. At a biochemical level, anyone who is a good leader appreciates that even a mood can raise or destroy the morale of a team. We all want our work to matter. Nothing is a more powerful energiser than to know that you are making a difference in the world.

Become a self-motivator and leader by burning invigorating and fresh scents such as Orange and Lemongrass.

With energising scents and beautiful blends, the candles in the Parks range have been created to pique the senses and encourage wellbeing, head over to our homepage for our full range.