You’ve probably heard people say to “never switch off your brain” or “don’t take a break from thinking.”
The phrase is usually intended as a reminder to use our brains for problem solving and creative thinking instead of zoning out in front of the TV. But there is also some truth that we should never completely shut down our brains.
There are a few reasons for this.
First, our brains are busier than ever before. We’re assaulted with facts, pseudo facts, jibber-jabber, and rumour, all posing as information. Trying to figure out what you need to know and what you can ignore is exhausting.
At the same time, we are all doing more. Thirty years ago, travel agents made our airline and rail reservations, salespeople helped us find what we were looking for in shops, and professional typists or secretaries helped busy people with their correspondence. Now we do most of those things ourselves. We are doing the jobs of 10 different people while still trying to keep up with the ever-growing demands of work and family.
Our brains are constantly active, even when we’re not consciously thinking about anything in particular. This is because our brains are always scanning our environment for potential threats or opportunities. So if you’re constantly zoning out or taking breaks from thinking, your brain is going to miss out on a lot of important information.
The good news is that there are ways to keep your brain active without exhausting yourself. One way is to practice mindfulness or meditation. This involves focusing on your breath or mantra and letting go of all other thoughts. This can help you train your mind to stay focused and alert.
You can also keep your brain active by doing puzzles or crosswords, learning a new skill, or reading something interesting. The important thing is to keep your mind active and engaged, so it doesn’t start to wander.
So next time you feel like taking a break from thinking, remember that it’s important to keep your brain active and engaged. Otherwise, you might miss out on some important information or opportunities.
But, how do we ensure we can sift through the noise, the distractions and focus on what matters, what benefits us?
There’s a lot of noise out there. From the people around us to the digital devices that never seem to stop beeping and buzzing, it can feel like our brains are constantly under assault. And while it’s important to stay connected to the world around us, it’s also crucial to find ways to shut out the distractions from time to time, so we can recharge and get back to being our best selves.
What happens, though, when you try to do this?
When you try to turn your brain off for a while — and I’m not talking about going on a vacation or taking a long weekend — the silence can be deafening. Suddenly, all you can hear is the sound of your own thoughts, and they’re not always pleasant.
It can be tough to find peace and quiet in a world that’s constantly moving, but it’s important to make the effort. Here are a few tips for how to focus your attention on things that matter, instead of letting your mind wander.
- Before You Try to Shut Your Brain Off…
Start by taking a few deep breaths. This might sound silly, but even spending 60 seconds paying attention to what you’re doing can turn down the volume on all the noise running through our heads. Once you’ve got that under control, it’s a little easier to start thinking about what matters.
- Identify What’s Important to You
This can be different for everyone, but think about the things that make you happy or that give your life meaning. Maybe it’s spending time with your family, writing in your journal, or working on a project that you’re passionate about. Once you know what’s important, it’s a little easier to focus on those things when your brain is trying to wander.
- Create a Ritual
This one can be really helpful, especially if you have a hard time shutting down your crowded thoughts. Find something that’s completely unrelated to your work and set a timer for, say, 15 minutes. Spend that time doing something you enjoy — it can be anything from reading to coloring — and when the timer goes off, you’re done.
- Remember That It Takes Practice
Like any other skill, it’s pretty tough to focus your attention on things that matter if you don’t practice. So be patient with yourself, and keep trying. It might take a little time, but eventually you’ll find that you’re better able to tune out the noise and focus on what’s important.
The world is a noisy place, and it can feel impossible to find that quiet, calm space. Still, just taking a few minutes to breathe and focus on what really matters is an important step toward being your best self.
Thank you for your attention!
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