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A Rested Mind Can Improve Your Productivity
Wendy Betterini
Imagine that you're working late at night on a project due
in the morning. Your body is tired and your mind is numb,
but this project must get done, so you push on. You continue
to work, despite the distinct feeling that the project would
be much easier if you went to bed and approached it again
in the morning. You feel obligated to do it now, so you stay
up until the wee hours of the morning, producing less than
desirable work in much more time than it would have taken
with a rested mind. This was likely not the wisest move, since
not only productivity was lost, but quality as well.
Having a rested mind really can make a difference in our daily
productivity, whether it's work or housework we are trying
to accomplish. Our minds were not meant to work for hours
on end with no downtime. They need breaks and vacations. They
need the ability to recharge from the daily overload of sensory
and thought perceptions. Constantly running our minds on overtime
without frequent periods of restoration can be detrimental
to our work, our attitude, and even our physical health.
Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to prevent
your mind from working on overload. Follow these helpful tips
and ideas for increasing your daily productivity:
Get more sleep - Adequate sleep is crucial to allowing
our subconscious minds to let go of all the stress of the
day. During sleep our minds recharge themselves, generating
the stamina and renewed perception needed for a fresh new
day. If we fail to get adequate sleep, our minds will be sluggish
and slow, essentially shutting down from the overload of stimuli.
This creates conditions in which we cannot effectively think,
speak, or act to our fullest potential.
Without the level of awareness and alertness that a rested
mind provides, our pace slows down and productivity is lost.
When our minds are overworked we often fall into "space cadet"
mode, and we have trouble focusing on the tasks at hand. Thoughts
frequently wander, and the ability to concentrate is lost.
Most people know how much sleep they require to feel refreshed,
but we rarely allow ourselves such a luxury. Try viewing adequate
sleep as an investment into your overall well-being, and reap
the rewards the next morning.
Reduce stress - Excessive stress can be very debilitating.
It makes us feel overwhelmed and distracts us from getting
our work done, and even worse - it promotes the formation
of negative thoughts. Stress can hinder our productivity by
making us more scattered and unfocused. We are unable to concentrate
on one thing at a time because the cause of the stress is
always in the back our minds, demanding attention.
Reducing the stressors in our lives will go a long way in
allowing us to lead more productive and happy lives. Try to
remember that some things are just not worth worrying about,
and there is no sense in stressing over things we have no
control over. Since much of our stress is the result of worrying
about things beyond our control, allowing ourselves to let
go of these thoughts can greatly reduce the stress in our
lives.
Quiet the mind - Meditation is a great way to quiet
our minds and develop clear thought processes. Try this exercise
at least once a day: Find a quiet room with no interruptions,
sit in a comfortable position, and close your eyes. Allow
all thoughts to leave your mind, and try to focus on the silence
within you. As thoughts begin to float through your mind,
simply push them gently but firmly back out. This technique
takes practice to perfect, but sticking with it will help
you to develop intense focus that can be harnessed in other
ways as well.
Meditating on a regular basis will ultimately improve our
productivity because we will develop the ability to focus
clearly on each task, and ultimately get more done in less
time.
These are just a few of the easy ways we can contribute to
a rested mind, which will help us to release stress, improve
our focus, and increase our productivity.
Wendy Betterini is a freelance writer and web designer
in New England. She is the owner of http://www.WorkatHomeBalance.com,
which features work/life balance tips for entrepreneurs, home
business owners, telecommuters and freelancers. Visit today
for more tips on balancing work and family under one roof.
Article Source:
www.iSnare.com
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