Did You Know That Your Brain Has a Reset Button (Metaphorically speaking)? TIL

When a computer has too many things going on and comes to an almighty halt, we might have the patience to wait a little while for something to kick into action, but often we will switch it off, or restart it.  More times than not this will solve the problem because the computer has been allowed to stop processing, cool down and is no longer overloaded.

Hands up - who agrees this is what it feels like when our brains get overloaded, if we get just one more stress or negative thought?!

GOOD NEWS...

When we feel overloaded, there is something we can do to hit the metaphorical reset button for our brain. Because when you think about it, our brain is a computer of sorts, but we can FEEL the OVERLOAD.

The reset is really simple, but ultra effective.

I do it all the time...

I breathe!

(yes so does everyone)

But it is a purposeful mindful breath.

A pause.

And that is enough to stop the brain going onto overload and is an effective reset button.

The act of taking your attention away from whatever is going on to the act of one single mindful breath is both powerful and positive.

Take just one moment to take a full breath in and out and focus completely on the act of that breath. If you notice that you lose focus on that single breath, refocus and try again (if needed).

Some people find it helpful to count 1 2 3 on the in breath and then 4 5 6 on the out breath to keep focus.

HOW DOES IT WORK

We deal with a lot of mental tasks simultaneously, I mean we are walking miracles when you think about it, but when these mental tasks and thoughts become too many and are loaded with a mix of emotions, then our brain processing time slows and frustration is triggered.

When you pause with this one breath mindful technique it clears your mind because you are concentrating on just one thing and that allows the "thinking" part of the brain to catch up with the "emotional" part.

It allows you to RESET and REFOCUS.

This helps better decision making as decisions become less emotional based. This mindful pause works best if you practise it often and develop it to use even in the most stressful of situations. You can practise pausing when:

• You are in a queue
• Stuck in a traffic jam
• Waiting for your computer to load up
• The kettle is boiling
• Before answering the phone
• En route to and from bathroom
• Before drinking or eating
• You feel like you are going to shout
• You get up and when you go to bed.

Image sources: giphy.com and pixabay.com

Information source: I am doing an 8 week mindfulness course and plan to share the best bits with you.

Hope and hugs to all...