June Workplace Insights: Reclaiming Focus, Function, and Flow

Small choices stack up fast. According to psychologist Dr. Jessica Myszak in a recent Forbes interview, decision fatigue is one of the most overlooked threats to mental energy in the workplace. From “How should I prioritize my day?” to “What meetings can I skip?” or “What should I eat?”, the sheer volume of micro-decisions teams face daily adds up, especially in high-demand, knowledge-driven roles.

This isn’t only about indecision, it’s about depletion. Even minor choices require mental effort, and over a day, that effort quietly chips away at focus, willpower, and critical thinking. As the article puts it: "It’s the invisible friction that slows you down without you realizing it.”

For leaders focused on performance, the implication is clear: the fewer low-stakes decisions your teams have to make, the more bandwidth they retain for work that matters.

The tea: The pantry is a powerful tool for reducing cognitive load, but only if it’s thoughtfully designed. When energizing, well-merchandised options are easy to see and grab, teams aren’t stuck scanning shelves or wondering what fits their dietary needs. They just refuel and move forward to decisions. 

Done well, pantry design becomes a quiet enabler of sharper thinking. It removes noise from the workday, supports smoother routines, and signals that the workplace is working with employees, not against them.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Curated snack assortments based on actual consumption data, not guesswork
• Smart product placement that surfaces top picks and diet-friendly options
• Consistent presentation and restocking, so people don’t have to “figure it out” daily
• A clear snack organization that reduces hesitation and promotes better decisions

Small as it seems, these moments matter. Because when people spend less time choosing, they spend more time thinking. And that shift, multiplied across teams, is where the impact adds up.

Once considered niche, collagen has quickly moved into the spotlight, fueled by consumer interest in beauty, joint health, recovery, and overall well-being. According to Food Dive, Darling Ingredients is expanding its investment in collagen production to meet rising demand, while launching a joint venture, Nextida, focused entirely on collagen-based health products. What used to be a supplement aisle staple is now showing up in everything from sparkling waters and snack bars to on-the-go oatmeal cups.

The shift reflects a broader trend: employees want more from their food. They’re not just snacking to satisfy hunger, but they’re snacking for energy, for focus, for wellness. Functional snacks offer a way to support well-being while staying aligned with your culture and values.

The tea: Functional doesn’t have to mean fringe. A valuable pantry doesn't mean you constantly have to bring in new categories; you simply have to make thoughtful upgrades to familiar favorites. Think: a protein-boosted chip, a drink that supports gut health, or a snack bar with brain-boosting ingredients. Take Purely Elizabeth’s Vanilla Pecan Superfood Oat Cup with Collagen. It’s still the oatmeal people already love, but with a little something extra.

This is about meeting employees where they already are in their wellness journeys. And when done right, these choices:

• Signal care and intention through products that support both health and taste
• Boost the value of the pantry without adding operational complexity
• Increase engagement by offering something employees actively seek out
• Support inclusivity with options that speak to a range of dietary and wellness goals

Workplace food is no longer just about what’s easy to stock. It’s about what resonates. And with more people using food as a tool for self-care and performance, incorporating functional options like collagen isn’t a luxury—it’s an expectation from a modern workplace.