Short breaks can have a positive impact on your productivity. Give your eyes a rest from your computer monitor and try a brisk walk, a few yoga stretches, or a quick nap to recharge your ability to concentrate.

Try not to get distracted by intense cravings for unhealthy snacks or caffeinated beverages. Avoid foods that have zero nutritional content. Healthier alternatives will help keep your appetite under control.

Satisfy your curiosity about another culture. If you can't travel there now, sign up for a cooking class, language study, or a contemporary film and fiction course. You'll have a basic foundation by the time you visit.

Remember to be a good listener if a friend comes to you with a problem. Rather than describe a similar situation you've been in, let her do most of the talking—she needs to get something off her chest.