Tips on How to be Clearheaded
Words by Katherine C. Eustaquio
Published in Total Fitness Magazine July 2011 Issue
The mind is like the Recycle Bin on your Desktop. Even if you’ve deleted old/useless information, you still find it inside the Recycle Bin. However, unlike your digital files, you can’t just “empty” your bin with a few clicks of your mouse.
It’s true that there’s no limit to human knowledge and that the brain can store an amazing amount of information. Still, an overload of information, an ounce of stress, and a few pinches of anxiety can cause our minds to become cluttered and slow to process new and recall even short-term information. In order to widen one’s knowledge, we need to pave the way for new information to be processed. Here are some tips on how to clear your mind without getting a headache.
Tip #1: Walk away from the past.
During down times, we all replay conversations in our heads and obsess on how things could have gone differently. While it’s good to reflect once in a while, mulling over past mistakes can lead to mild depression and can clog the mind before your know it. Make peace with missed opportunities and instead of focusing on the negative parts, look forward to the positive ones.
Tip #2: Channel out your emotions.
If you find yourself about to implode due to the inner rampage of thoughts and emotions, grab a pen and channel out these feelings. If you’re not into writing, you can doodle. If you’re not an artsy person, grab your sneakers and workout. The important thing is that you find an outlet wherein you can withdraw these feelings.
Tip #3: You don’t like meditating? Go for a power nap.
If you find meditation a bit too ho-hum, opt for a power nap instead. Not only does the latter give you the down time you need, it also replenishes lost energy.
Tip #4: Immerse yourself in one activity.
This is an active form of meditation that suit alpha people best. If you find the traditional meditation (read: sitting Indian style and breathing yoga style) a waste of time, then this option will definitely hit two birds with one stone.
Tip #5: Organize your space.
Taking time to sort out the organized clutter on your work area can be a therapeutic activity. Wipe your desk clean, make sure your writing tools are in their places, take out the trash, and brew yourself a good cup of coffee before you open your email. The sense of order and control you have in your physical surrounding can resonate all the way to your mind and help you be more focused on the tasks ahead.
Published in Total Fitness Magazine July 2011 Issue
The mind is like the Recycle Bin on your Desktop. Even if you’ve deleted old/useless information, you still find it inside the Recycle Bin. However, unlike your digital files, you can’t just “empty” your bin with a few clicks of your mouse.
It’s true that there’s no limit to human knowledge and that the brain can store an amazing amount of information. Still, an overload of information, an ounce of stress, and a few pinches of anxiety can cause our minds to become cluttered and slow to process new and recall even short-term information. In order to widen one’s knowledge, we need to pave the way for new information to be processed. Here are some tips on how to clear your mind without getting a headache.
Tip #1: Walk away from the past.
During down times, we all replay conversations in our heads and obsess on how things could have gone differently. While it’s good to reflect once in a while, mulling over past mistakes can lead to mild depression and can clog the mind before your know it. Make peace with missed opportunities and instead of focusing on the negative parts, look forward to the positive ones.
Tip #2: Channel out your emotions.
If you find yourself about to implode due to the inner rampage of thoughts and emotions, grab a pen and channel out these feelings. If you’re not into writing, you can doodle. If you’re not an artsy person, grab your sneakers and workout. The important thing is that you find an outlet wherein you can withdraw these feelings.
Tip #3: You don’t like meditating? Go for a power nap.
If you find meditation a bit too ho-hum, opt for a power nap instead. Not only does the latter give you the down time you need, it also replenishes lost energy.
Tip #4: Immerse yourself in one activity.
This is an active form of meditation that suit alpha people best. If you find the traditional meditation (read: sitting Indian style and breathing yoga style) a waste of time, then this option will definitely hit two birds with one stone.
Tip #5: Organize your space.
Taking time to sort out the organized clutter on your work area can be a therapeutic activity. Wipe your desk clean, make sure your writing tools are in their places, take out the trash, and brew yourself a good cup of coffee before you open your email. The sense of order and control you have in your physical surrounding can resonate all the way to your mind and help you be more focused on the tasks ahead.
