Contrary to what common sense would indicate, more hours of work doesn’t necessarily equal more productivity, the Entrepreneur.com article “5 Unusual Ways to Start Working Smarter, Not Harder” explains. At some point, the law of diminishing returns kicks in, and you’re better off to recharge and be prepared to make the most of the time you put in. Try these five “unusual” methods to smarten up your work habits:

1. Take more breaks: Respecting our natural attention spans. The average attention span is about 90 minutes, with the need for at least 20 minutes of rests. So, working for more than 90 minutes without a break becomes counterproductive. Another strategy is to break work into small segments. Work 25 minutes, then take a small break to stretch, get a drink, take a quick walk, or whatever, then settle in for another brief, intense segment. Or, if you’re really in a crunch, try switching between tasks frequently – using the same principle as an exercise circuit, where you rest one part of the body while exercising another.
2. Take naps: One of the most efficient ways to boost your brain function. It’s a fact that naps improve cognitive function, creative thinking and memory performance, the article explains. They’re also helpful for avoiding burnout. Most people start to feel sluggish in the afternoon, so consider taking a brief nap or at least relax for a few minutes.
3. Spend time in nature. Research shows that walking through a quiet park is more relaxing than walking down a city street, and that students are more motivated to learn when surrounded by nature than in a classroom. Nature helps us fully relax and prepare to focus when back at work. So, at minimum, find a quiet, relaxing place to take your breaks.
4. Move around and work in blocks. If you have a ton of work to do, try moving around to different locations at various points. The office, a café, home, a park…pick milestones to reach at each location, then move on to the next to regain focus.
5. Check your email first thing in the morning.  Try checking your email before you get to your desk, maybe even before you get out of bed. Most say not to do this, but it can be helpful in that it helps you get prepared for your day before it actually gets started. Then, you can sit down at your desk, not worry about opening your inbox, and get right down to business. 

Click here to read the article from Entrepreneur.com