Mental energy is what enables you to focus on what you want and need. It’s also what you use to figure out the strategies and plans you need to fulfill your needs and satisfy your wants. When your mental energy is low, you get that “fried brains” kind of frazzled. You are likely to make poor decisions or no decision at all – both of which will create a problem for you either now, later or both. Also, with low mental energy, you can be talked into doing something you don’t want to do and make agreements that don’t work in your best interests. How many times have you said “yes” to a request just because you were too worn out to argue? More than likely, when you did, you regretted it.
So how do you keep your mental energy perked up and ready for when you need it? Here are three tips:
- Organize something. If your desk is a mess, you might be clogging up your brain waves just looking at it. Straighten out a drawer or closer. Or reorganize your recipe file. The process of organizing something forces your mind into organization mode. An organized mind is a relaxed mind.
- Get involved in some stress-less mental activity. That doesn’t mean you don’t have to think, but it means that what you’re thinking about is different from your “high responsibility” thoughts and worries. Instead of pressurized thoughts crowding your mind, you’re freeing you mind to focus on something that tickles it. Remember tickling? Remember how good it felt when you were a kid and somebody tickled you and you laughed and laughed? That’s what you want to do for your mind! When I get mentally fried and can’t think past the end of my nose, I go for a walk. Or, if I’m home, I bake a cake. And I don’t make it from scratch either – a plain old box cake is easy, mindless and the smell makes me feel good. If that doesn’t do it for you, try playing golf, going to a comedy club or watching a dumb but funny movie, take up painting or meditation, have a girls night out with good friends or playing a game like scrabble, bridge or chess
- Relax your mind. The best and easiest way to do this is to daydream – like you did when you were a kid. Think about an old crush, an upcoming vacation, being on – and winning – Dancing With the Stars or American Idol.
- Here’s a really good tip for daydreaming: Create a Vision Board and use it regularly. When you are having a stressful moment, take a “Vision Break” and relax your mind by thinking about the happy and positive future you are visioning.
One last thought: There are some physical conditions that zap your mental abilities. When was the last time you had your thyroid, iron level (anemia) and hormones checked? If it’s been a while, maybe this is a good time for some bloodwork!
