To help us stay sharp and alert on the page, here are a few simple tips we can easily apply any time and anywhere to give us a boost:
Soothe stress: When you feel anxious or overwhelmed by worry, take a break: Close your eyes and visualize a lit candle. See the flame flickering each time a stressful thought crops up. Concentrate on keeping the flame as still as possible. This easy exercise creates a sense of calm by helping to stop the mind from wandering to upsetting thoughts. As you grow quiet and steadier, your ability to focus renews.
Quiet mental chatter: White tea has far less caffeine than other teas and because it’s harvested earlier and is less processed, it’s loaded with healthful antioxidants and is more calming. A quick dose of white tea can also help cut through the “background chatter” in the mind that makes it hard to maintain focus.
Fight fatigue: If you’re feeling a little low on energy, here’s a quick- and-easy acupressure trick to give yourself a pick-me-up: Just massage up and down your ears firmly for 2 minutes. This triggers the production of energizing hormones that will make you more alert for the next 1-1/2 hours (definitely have to try this!)
Sharpen your recall: Want to remember a useful bit of information — whether it’s a story you’ve heard or an article you’ve read? Then share it with a friend or family member. According one study, you’re more likely to remember it if you recount it than if you just repeat the information to yourself: Communicating with others engages a part of the brain that strengthens memory.
So now that we’re all more alert, focused, and awake, let’s write on!
