We all know what it’s like to have a tired brain. Your eyes are tired. Your brain is fried. You physically don’t feel like moving. Even though you perhaps haven’t done a bit of physical exercise, you are feeling sluggish and unmotivated. It’s happening to all who are working at a computer for several hours a day. When we are sedentary, we can feel Brain Drain. Brain Drain is a term used to describe a brain that is tired and struggles to perform optimally due to lack of energy. Thankfully, there are some simple tips you can implement to help combat Brain Drain.
HERE ARE 8 WAYS TO BOUNCE BACK FROM AND MINIMIZE BRAIN DRAIN
- Set your intent to flow through your day before getting out of bed in the morning. My go-to technique for this is heart-focused breathing and prayer. But you can also do mental visualization. See yourself easily moving through and responding to the stress of the day with energy and vitality. See yourself taking breaks for movement. (Your actions follow your thoughts.) You have to think about it, before you can make it happen. This simple routine can be a game-changer in helping you move through your day with greater flow and ease.
Heart-focused breathing is a technique developed through over 25 years of research done by Heart Math. It helps quiet a busy brain and is supportive to achieving a healthier heart rate variability (HRV). A person’s HRV is one marker of health and vitality. You can learn more about heart-focused breathing here.
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As you work through your day, set a timer to get up at move every 1-2 hours. You can take a walk outside – not to the pantry or fridge. Or you can stay indoors and do jumping jacks, push-ups, jog or march in place, do squats, or just dance and wiggle around. Another option is to try some static stretches or planks. If you don’t know what some of these are, do a quick online search, “How to do ____.” 😉
A couple years ago I purchased a tabletop lift desk. This has made a world of difference for me. It keeps me from sitting too much and has been helpful in keeping me from experiencing Brain Drain.
- Give your eyes a break. Look up and away from the screen about every 15 minutes. Move your eyes around. You could have your eyes follow the line of the ceiling in front of you and the walls to your side. Glancing away from the screen helps reduce eye strain and brain fatigue.
- Wear protective eye glasses that block or limit the blue light that is given off by electronics, especially when looking at a screen in the later afternoon and evening hours. The blue light emitted by electronics inhibits melatonin production. Melatonin is needed for a good night sleep.
- If possible, get outside and/or work near a window to get more natural sunlight. Gaze outside and find something that makes you smile. A plant or beautiful tree. The clear sky. The neighbor’s dog. Whatever gives you a quick pick-me-up. I love to go downstairs to watch the birds fluttering around and chirping at our bird feeders. These little creatures always make me smile.
- At night, before going to bed, shut off the WIFI. WIFI is emitting subtle electromagnetic energy that our bodies need a break from. Shutting off your WIFI at night can also be beneficial to a better night sleep.
You may want to consider hard-wiring your devices. Not only is this a healthier option, but I have found the internet speed to be faster and more reliable than wireless.
- When your work is done, “unplug” from electronics and screen time. Snuggle in with a good book that has real paper pages, one that is uplifting to your spirit. Some other fun options to enjoy are: play a board game, call a friend, journal, or chat with your family and friends. Do whatever fills your cup, without using electronics. Avoiding electronics at least one to two hours before bed can be very helpful to a good night’s rest.
- Stay hydrated. Not drinking enough clean, pure water contributes to brain fatigue and headaches. I try to drink half my body weight in ounces of water each day. Coffee and tea generally dehydrate us, so do not count those ounces as water intake. Vitamin water and other liquids with added flavorings are also not pure water. The body has to digest the nutrients and deal with the chemical ingredients in these beverages. I choose to drink distilled water and add drops of specific minerals to my water. Connect with me to find out what minerals I use. If you want to learn more about why I chose distilled, you can check out this article.
Remember when exercising, we need to increase our water intake to meet the demands of the water we lose through sweating.
I hope these tips help you have less Brain Drain and more energy to enjoy your evenings at the end of the day! If you implement just a couple of these tips I am sure you will reap the benefits.
Blessings as you keep on keepin’ on in your journey to greater wellness,
Anita
