We all know what it’s like to try to work when our brain is in a fog or doesn’t want to cooperate with us. We feel like we can’t get it in gear, like everything takes too long, and the result is lacking.
Just like any other part of the body, the brain can get tired. I suffer from cerebral fatigue resulting in a lack of new ideas, poor thinking, and lousy problem-solving, which can cause depression.
Here then, are 12 tips to keep your brain refreshed, energized, and happy:
1. Mix it up. It’s common sense that if you spend hour after hour on the same task, you will get burned out. So instead of writing articles for 8 hours straight, try writing articles for 2 hours, researching your following product for an hour, returning emails for an hour, etc.
2. Don’t multitask important stuff. Sure, you can listen to the radio while doing the dishes, but neither one requires your full attention. Don’t check your email or the game’s score when doing something important, like learning a new skill from a webinar or working on your following product score. By not multitasking, you’ll accomplish more in less time, and your quality of work will be better, too.
3. Stand up and move around. If you can, get one of those standing work desks and use it at least half the time. If you alternate between standing and sitting, you’ll find that you’re more alert and your brain works better.
4. Take a quick break every 20 minutes or so. 20-minute “bursts” of work followed by 2-3 minutes of non-work can make you productive and energize your brain. BEST: Do something physical on these short breaks, such as push-ups, sit-ups, or deep knee bends.
5. Engage your senses. Use some peppermint or orange oil to wake you up. Make your workspace enjoyable to look at with thought-provoking art. Use colored paper and pens. Get a worry stone or some object you like to hold and pick this up for tactile stimulation when thinking through a problem.
6. Relax for 10 minutes every 90 – 120 minutes. Take 10 minutes off to meditate, walk around the block or work on a puzzle. Your brain will love this.
7. Work when your brain wants to work. Everyone has their circadian rhythm. Some people are morning people, others are night owls, and many fall in between. Find out the most productive time of day, and then schedule that time for your most intense and vital work.
8. Prioritize. Work on your most important task when your brain is at its freshest. Getting this task done first will also give you a much-needed feeling of accomplishment and free you up to focus on smaller goals and tasks.
9. Work less, play more. If you work 100 hours a week, I suspect you only do 50 hours’ worth of work. Think about it – how much of your time is devoted to working, and how much is dedicated to “getting ready to work?” Don’t get distracted by emails, games, news, weather, etc.
Instead, focus on getting your tasks done as quickly as possible, leaving your computer, leaving your office, and doing something unrelated to work. While you are out “playing,” your brain will be rejuvenating. One unexpected benefit to this is that your brain becomes more creative and a much better problem solver when it gets periods of rest, relaxation, and diversion from work.
10. Take a weekly vacation. No, I’m not kidding. Getting away once a week does wonders for every part of you, especially your brain. And you don’t have to leave your area to take a vacation. Go someplace locally you’ve never been to, take a class, go to events, spend the day walking downtown or in the woods, etc.
Is the weather terrible, and you don’t want to leave home? Then grab that book you’ve got of nature photographs or travel shots, sit in a comfortable chair, and transport yourself to the exotic places you see in the photos. In terms of benefits to the brain, it’s almost as good as being there.
11. Exercise. I won’t tell you why you should exercise here – you probably already know them. And one of the biggest reasons is that your brain works better when you exercise. You think better and more clearly. I wouldn’t be surprised if people who regularly exercise improve their IQ scores – it’s already been proven to increase memory and comprehension.
12. Feed your brain. Good nutrition is vital to your brain’s well-being. If you’re eating processed foods or junk foods, you’re starving your brain. If you’re eating things like fresh fruits and vegetables and fish, then you’re feeding your brain. Don’t believe me? Cut out all junk food and processed food for one week. Add in fish oils or fish, along with plenty of veggies and some fruits. See if you don’t notice a massive difference in how you feel and how well your brain functions.
Be good to your brain; it will help you reach your goals this year and beyond!
No comments yet.