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Friday, July 12, 2013

Healthy Mind Platter



FEELING OVERWHELMED?


Here are 7 activities recommended to help you take care of your mental wellbeing.

Focus Time. When we closely focus on tasks in a goal-oriented way, taking on challenges that make deep connections in the brain.

Play Time. When we allow ourselves to be spontaneous or creative, playfully enjoying novel experiences, which helps make new connections in the brain.

Connecting Time. When we connect with other people, ideally in person, richly activating the brain's social circuitry.

Physical Time. When we move our bodies, aerobically if possible, which strengthens the brain in many ways.

Time In. When we quietly reflect internally, focusing on sensations, images, feelings and thoughts, helping to better integrate the brain.

Down Time. When we are non-focused, without any specific goal, and let our mind wander or simply relax, which helps our brain recharge.

Sleep Time. When we give the brain the rest it needs to consolidate learning and recover from the experience of the day.

From an article in The Harvard Business Review by David Rock sent to me through Lloyd Princeton of Design Management Company.

Here's an exercise to try:

Reconstruct a recent day. Consider the types of time listed above. How did that day measure up?
Construct your ideal day incorporating all types of time. (make sure you include enough, uninterrupted sleep)

When I first did this exercise, I had a hard time separating play time from connecting time.

If you need help with this exercise, email me at regina@shiftshapecoaching.com.

with good intent
Regina