Do you answer your emails while you’re on a call, or do you make your working list while you’re at a business meeting?
You probably think that multitasking is the obvious answer when you have a lot of work, but according to experts, being multitasking can cause stress and negative effects on your performance.
“Our brains are designed to focus all of your resources on one task at a time, whether it’s at work or in personal conversation,”.
Quickly switching from a video conference to an email and then to a meeting means that each task only gets a portion of the brain’s resources and can result in a job poorly done, leaving you feeling dissatisfied with your accomplishments at the end of the day. “When we focus on a single task, our memory works well, we make fewer mistakes and we are more creative,”.
Ways to Boost Brain Power
1. Start the day with activities that calm your mind
Just like a runner stretches muscles before starting a race, your brain needs to warm up too. We suggest doing activities that give your brain a calming and comforting feeling like exercising, listening to music, doing breathing exercises, or letting your mind clear by doing a crossword puzzle or reading the newspaper over coffee.
2. Schedule ‘do not disturb’ time
Establish in your schedule in which you are most creative and strategic. Hold all your attention on the same task, concentrating all your energy to carry it out until you are ready to continue with the next one. Avoid checking your email while you are working on that task and put your phone on silent to avoid interruptions.
3. Avoid distractions
“Identify the distraction, take a breath, and make a conscious choice as to whether you should attend to it or not allow it to hijack your attention,”.
If technology is your main distractor, maintain schedule times to check your emails or manage your social networks. “Practice technology-free periods in your life to tame the urge to read a message or an email,”.
Restructure your workflow to minimize the distractions that you cause yourself. Close documents you’re not actively working on and make an effort to avoid switching from one task to another.
4. Take frequent ‘mental breaks’
“Motivate your mind to imagine and move your body to refresh the brain,”. Take mental breaks every 15 minutes or every hour, depending on your physical and emotional state and the difficulty of the task you are performing. Stroll down the street or stretch at your desk. Don’t worry about these breaks sacrificing your productivity. “Some of the most creative ideas come up when you relax,”. How this is the Best Ways to Boost Brain Power.
5. Feed your brain
Regular exercise improves attention, memory, and the brain’s ability to absorb new information. In addition to exercise, your brain requires certain nutrients to maintain good performance. Consume protein in foods like eggs and chicken, as well as the healthy fats that contain omega-3s and are found in nuts, fish, whole grains, and vegetables.
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