6 Tips for a Mental Reset to Help You Gain More Focus
As you get older, the saying is – and it is true – that time goes so fast, it’s hard to keep track what month it is, let alone what day it is. Responsibilities at work and at home are constant, and it’s easy to get lost in your day-to-day activities. But taking just a little bit of time to reset your mind can really help you become more relaxed, and, as a result, more engaged in your daily life.
Here are some ideas you can use to slow down and find a way to mentally recharge yourself:
- Take a deep breath. Deep breathing exercises can help you relax and reduce stress. Deep breathing can be part of other forms of relaxation, including meditation, but can also be done anywhere. If you find yourself in an especially stressful moment, like at work, focus on your breathing for a minute and take deep breaths from your belly. Taking that time should help you feel a little bit less anxious and allow you to refocus. Learn more about the benefits of deep breathing and some techniques from this Harvard Health article.
- Read a book. Reading is a great way to stop worrying about your daily stresses and just get lost in something that occupies your mind and interests you. Whether you most enjoy romance novels, murder mysteries or non-fiction, it doesn’t matter; it’s a diversion that allows you to focus on something else, and you’ll find subsequently that your mind wanders less. Unlike a passive activity, such as watching TV, you are fully engaged in whatever you are reading and taken to a different world, allowing your mind a break from daily worries.
- Try an adult puzzle or do some crafting. When you witness the simple joy that kids have when they are putting together a puzzle or crafting, it may take you back to your own childhood when you had plenty of time to play. But why do those fun activities have to stop just because you are all grown up? They don’t! If you have a crafty side, go to your local craft store, grab something, and get creative. Maybe try making gifts for your friends for the holidays or just something for around your house. You could get great joy out of the process!
- Treat yourself to a massage. Massage therapy can help your body relax and recover, and also helps your mind do the same. It provides you time to focus on you. Also allow yourself to relax during the massage and focus on your breathing. Or try aromatherapy, a great type of massage that uses essential oils that help calm and soothe you.
- Meditate. Helping your mind to relax is a goal of meditation. Wondering how to get started? Try a Meditation Beginners’ Guide. You can also check out various free apps on your phone that provide a guided meditation practice, including Calm, Take a Break and Mindful Meditation.
- Practice yoga. You’ve probably heard about the many benefits of practicing yoga. Yoga focuses on breath, movement and body awareness and can even help improve your concentration, as well as provide other positive effects. If it is too difficult to consistently fit a yoga class into your schedule, try the Namaste series. These yoga practices are only about 25 minutes in length and can be done in your own home at your leisure.
Taking just a little bit of time for yourself can go a long way. A way to help establish this new routine? Challenge a friend or your significant other who could also benefit from some time to focus on themselves – then hold each other accountable for taking time out each week to try one of these suggestions and find the activity most effective for each of you.