Think Tank: The Neuro Blog
5 Tips for Staying Focused at Work
How many hours in a day do you spend at work? From those hours, how many do you actually spend working? If the numbers are consistently similar, then your manager/boss will probably thank you (hopefully, at least). If they aren’t, then it’s probably high time you revisit your habits and see where in the process you can improve. While already sometimes difficult to do in a physical office setting, focusing at work is so much more of a challenge when done at home. Imagine all the distractions and stimuli all around you that almost begs you to ditch that meeting, that to be honest, could have been just an email. Need help in staying focused at work? Here are 5 tips to get you started. Differentiate “productivity” from “efficiency” While these terms are related to each other, they’re not interchangeable. When you talk of productivity, you talk about quantity, while when you talk of efficiency, you talk about quantity. What does this mean exactly? When you have a to-do list and you tick them all off, you consider yourself productive for doing so many tasks. However, this doesn’t factor in the amount of time it took you to accomplish the tasks and the quality with which they are delivered. With efficiency, you take into account the amount of time you’ve used up to finish a task as well as the quality of your output. Simply put - not because you’re productive, doesn’t mean you’re efficient too. It’s always good to strike a balance between both so you don’t sacrifice quantity and quality of work done. To increase your focus at work, pay close attention to the work that you do and the time it takes you to do it. Are these tasks a good use of your time? Are they repetitive and could be automated/batch-processed? Do you have the right skills/tools/support needed to finish the task? It’s difficult to laser focus on something when you’re not sure how to do it in the first place. Make a realistic to-do list and daily workflow structure “In the absence of clearly-defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it.” - Robert A. Heinlein When you go to work knowing that you’re working on something, you go to work with a purpose. This purpose drives you and motivates you to focus on the task at hand. If you don’t have a purpose, you’ll find yourself getting lost in a swirl of notifications every time your phone goes “ding”. If you don’t have a purpose, it’s hard to make sense of the chaos and difficult to keep your eyes on the prize. To increase your focus, make a realistic to-do list for yourself, listing down all the things that you need to accomplish, say for the entire month. Once you have done the big picture, set a deadline and break the big tasks into smaller, doable and actionable items that you can put in your daily task list. A regular workflow that you follow consistently can help you increase focus too. In the chaos of every day, especially if your work involves a lot of daily moving pieces, a workflow can help you focus and prioritize what to do instead of opening too many tabs at once and ending up forgetting something. Part of your daily workflow should be to stick to regular hours. Not because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you need to be working longer hours. It’s hard to stay focused when you’re tired and overworked so make sure to take regular breaks and close your workday on time. Dedicate an optimal area for working This is more appropriate for people who work at home (which was ALL of us at a certain point in time). When you work from home, it’s very easy for the boundaries of work and life to get blurred. You find yourself constantly caught in the tug of war between your couch calling you to watch Netflix and setting up that presentation for your report at 4. As a start, try to distance your work area away from your bed, your couch and your TV. While it is very tempting to work in your bed - DON’T. Not only is it bad for your back, but it can also be bad for your sleep as your body needs to associate your bed as a place to relax and slow down, and not to work. Invest in work from home essentials like a good office chair with enough lumbar support, a sturdy table with enough space for your things, a work lamp and a pair of UV light protection glasses too. Consciously put away distractions, digital or otherwise How many tabs are open on your computer right now? How about on your phone? These tabs represent the number of times you got distracted with what you’re doing and randomly searched for something on the internet. These distractions, although just a few minutes, will account for so much of your time if combined. Distractions are inevitable and they will be everywhere. From your fluffy dog that you just can’t help but cuddle with, to the smell of whatever’s cooking downstairs, to your neighbors working in their garage, right down to the notifications in your phone - these take away your focus and eat away your time. While it’s impossible to remove distractions completely, it’s possible to limit them. Limiting these distractions will make you pay more attention and focus on what you’re doing. If you have other people in the house, being clear with the rules and setting expectations will help in limiting these distractions. If you must, keep your phone away from you or at least turn it on silent mode and put it face down so you don’t get distracted every time a notification comes in. Power your focus with Neuro If you want that extra boost of energy and focus to power you through the day, keep a pack of Neuro Gums & Mints handy. Made with sustainably sourced and high-quality ingredients, every Neuro Gum & Mint is specially formulated with natural caffeine, L-theanine and B-vitamins to sustain the mental endurance necessary to focus on your goals. No need to worry about the jitters too! Neuro Gums & Mints contain just the right amount of natural caffeine - clean, balanced energy to give you a smooth boost to get you into the zone. In conclusion, these tips do not just work for your work, but for your personal life too! That being said, make sure to set aside time to focus on your health and personal life too. The sooner you zero in on the areas that you need to improve on, the sooner you can get to work! Hero Image by Scott Graham on Unsplash
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Battling Burnout: Ways College Student-Athletes Can Find Balance
Class, practice, homework, repeat. It’s a vicious cycle. Day after day and week after week, college student-athletes put their minds and bodies to the test. They show up early and stay late even with an upcoming paper and two exams. Countless collegiate competitors also struggle to maintain a halfway-decent sleep schedule. Downtime? Forget about it. These unhealthy tendencies have detrimental consequences: physical, emotional, and mental wear and tear. Triggered by over-engagement and chronic stress, burnout is a state of extreme exhaustion. It can affect performance in the classroom and on the field. Student-athletes often lose that fiery passion that was once ablaze. What remains is a withering flame. How can you, a dedicated student-athlete, break the cycle? You’ve proven your grit but have recently noticed a change. When no one’s watching, defeat overwhelms you. While positive change is easier said than done, there’s still a chance to regain what once was. Summer is here, offering an opportunity to find stability. Here’s your guide to reclaiming that work-life balance. Afterall, life is too short to experience anything short of happiness. Listen to Your Body Your body sends signals to show what it needs to function at its best. For instance, low energy levels may imply a lack of nourishment. During the summer months, incorporate beneficial remedies for fatigue. To start, try new pre- and post-workout recipes. A granola bar before hitting the gym doesn’t always provide enough nutrients. And after an intense practice, it’s crucial to consume foods that help you recover and build muscle. Check out these delicious and nutritious options! Please note that each body is different. The following are only suggestions. Pre-workout Options Blueberry-banana smoothie with plant-based protein Add a natural sweetener, like stevia or honey. Nonfat Greek yogurt with fruit Avocado toast Homemade trail mix Add your favorite nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. Post-workout Options Three-egg omelette with spinach and tomato Vegan alternative: tofu scramble Grilled white-meat chicken and a plain baked potato Salmon or tuna with roasted vegetables Short on time? Try frozen veggies! With a few new recipes up your sleeve, take a trip to the grocery store. Make a meal for you and your workout buddy, and appreciate your newfound vigor and vitality. If you’re aiming to optimize your stamina, take a moment to learn about Neuro Gum and Mints. The Energy & Focus products contain natural caffeine, L-theanine, and B-vitamins to boost endurance. This summer, discover your potential, and feel the difference with robust energy. Put Your Mind at Ease Your mental health and emotional wellbeing are crucial to your success as a student-athlete. Feed your mind like you feed your body. Explore the world of meditation and mindfulness, and find a technique that works for you. Guided meditation can help you stress less and sleep better. Regardless of your level of experience, this activity may allow you to strengthen a muscle that could benefit from some exercise. There is no question that Neuro Calm & Clarity Mints have the utmost potential to ease tension. Breathe deeply, and observe your thoughts and emotions in a relaxed state. Expand Your Support System Your coach and teammates always have your back, am I right? But it’s good to know who else you can lean on for guidance and support. Create an open dialogue with your professors. These guys and gals want to see you succeed in all aspects of life. (Even though that curveball on a recent test might make you think otherwise!) Once your schedule is set for the fall semester, shoot your professors an introductory email. Share a little about yourself, such as your involvement in athletics. Be sure to express your excitement for your professors’ courses, too. A short and sweet message will go a long way. It will help once you’re in season and have to miss class for a game or request an extension. Most importantly, it will help relieve stress and anxiety. You and your professor will be able to construct a game plan to help you get the work done. Simply put, consistent communication is key. Your school most likely offers professional counseling services. Ask your coach to point you in the direction of these resources. Talk therapy can allow you to better understand and work through your struggles. The Home Stretch Olympic medalist and New York Times bestseller Apolo Anton Ohno once declared, “Passion is the spark for everything. Without passion, you won’t do something 100%. That’s the bottom line.” As a student-athlete, your ultimate goal is academic and athletic success. You were recruited for your competitive drive and leadership qualities. You’re also human; sometimes the flame loses its spark. After hitting a low point, you’re ready to reignite that fiery passion. Neuro Ideal State Mints provide the balance and stability you’ve been searching for. A combo pack of Energy & Focus and Calm & Clarity is recommended to help you get back on track and stay on track. Hero Image by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
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Kickstart Your Morning Routine with these 6 Easy Steps
Have you ever had a day when you felt like 24 hours aren’t enough to do everything you wanted/needed to do? Or that time when you wake up, snooze your alarm, fidget with your phone a little, and before you know it, it’s late afternoon and you haven’t done the things you set out to do for the day? If it’s a “yes”, then having a morning routine may benefit you. For some people, having a routine can be boring and may seem like they are living in a box with no room for fun or spontaneity. If you’re one of these people, then prepare to be proven wrong. Why are morning routines (or routines in general) important and how are they helpful? Routines are helpful because it keeps your body and mind in a certain rhythm. It can help lower your stress level by setting aside time for important things, sets you up for success and makes sure you follow through with your plans. It also helps ensure better sleep and lesser anxiety which are ingredients to a better physical and mental health. Having a routine also helps you feel more in control of your day, versus your day controlling you. Feeling motivated to kickstart your morning routine? Start with these 5 steps! 1. Start the routine the night before In every task that you want to do, you always want to set yourself up for success. How do you do that when it comes to your morning routine? You start the “routine” as early as the night before! An average adult is recommended to sleep for at least 7 to 9 hours daily. Although sleeping an hour more or less than this recommendation may be acceptable depending on a person’s circumstances, significantly reducing this number may lead to fatigue, excessive sleepiness, and irritability the next day. Think about it, a successful morning routine starts with you waking up feeling energized and ready to face a new day. How do you expect yourself to wake up energized and refreshed if you stayed up late the night before? Depending on the time you’re supposed to wake up in the morning, count backwards so you can sleep for at least 7 to 9 hours. Make sure to allot at least one more hour for your pre bedtime preps. Ideally, no screens before bedtime to give your eyes a break and take Neuro Calm & Clarity Mints before bed to ensure a relaxing snooze. The next time you’re tempted to browse another video on YouTube before going to bed - DON’T. Your well rested future self, about 7 to 9 hours later, will thank you for it. 2. Wake up an hour (or two) before you have to be somewhere/do something Waking up an hour before you need to be somewhere or do something gives you ample time to prepare yourself for the day ahead. It gives you the mental clarity and space to actually focus on the task/s at hand by giving your body time to adjust between sleeping and waking state. Rushing to do something the minute you wake up (because you have snoozed your alam for the nth time) will leave you feeling exhausted, and you haven’t even reached the middle of the day yet. If you have at least an hour to yourself, you have time to accomplish your actual morning routine! 3. Make Your Bed Admiral William H. McRaven, a NAVY Seal, shared that, “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed”. Simple, right? But how can something so simple be so powerful and effective? Again, in everything you do, you want to set yourself up for success. Making your bed, despite it being a small task, as soon as you wake up in the morning is one thing you’ve already accomplished and it’s one success you can already count in your book! Accomplishing this simple task also reinforces the power of paying attention to little things. If you’re able to exercise that muscle of caring and being attentive to the little things, it’s much easier to break down complex tasks and deal with them little by little. Plus, wouldn’t you feel more relaxed if you come home after a long day and your bed is made? 4. Drink a full glass of water upon waking up It’s a no-brainer that the body needs water to survive. Aside from the bodily functions that it supports and sustains, drinking water first thing in the morning rehydrates the body, increases alertness and jumpstarts the metabolism process. Not only is this a very easy addition to your morning routine, it’s also beneficial to your body in the long run. Win-win! 5. Meditate Carving out a time in your day (especially in the morning) to meditate is a gift that you can give yourself - and it’s a gift that keeps on giving. Aside from the many mental and physical health benefits of meditation, it can also influence how you approach and handle the rest of the day. Because you are able to breathe out stress, anxiety and negative energy early in your day, you intentionally create space for inner peace, compassion, understanding and focus. If the world is filled with people who intentionally create mental spaces for these things, it surely will be a better place. Important things to remember Keep your routine basic and suited to YOUR lifestyle Not everyone works a 9 to 5 job; some people work different parts of the day. Some people have families and chores to attend to and may not be able to spend an hour or two “slowing things down”. These things shouldn’t stop you from establishing a morning routine! Find suggestions and then tweak them to fit YOUR lifestyle and YOUR schedule. If time is an issue, find it! If you have 15 mins in your day to browse Instagram, then you have 15 mins for a morning routine. Have some flexibility Some people cringe at the thought of having a “routine”, almost as if the very word is constrictive and suffocating. Routines are not meant to be a box to limit you, rather it’s a way for you to efficiently account for your time so you can dedicate more time doing the things that you actually love doing! Having said that, don’t let your routines be rigid to the point of limiting what you can and can’t do on a daily basis. Incorporate flexibility and always leave room for adjustments. Consistency is key The first few days will be hard. When it’s hard, remember your “why” and dig deep to find the motivation to get up and keep going. Keep at it until it becomes a part of your rhythm, until you feel almost incomplete when you don’t do it. Exercise it like a muscle; develop and improve it over time until it becomes a part of your personality. Most importantly, start TODAY! Hero Image by Dapo Oni on Unsplash
Learn more3 Keys to a Happier Life
When was the last time you felt happy? The genuine kind of happiness - the kind of happiness that makes you feel you can take on anything, and do anything. The kind of happiness that fills up your entire body, radiates through your smile and echoes through your laugh. The kind of happiness that’s not influenced by anything from the outside; the kind of happiness that stems from within and from knowing that you’re amazing. As adults, we seldom get into the rhetorical question of “what makes me happy?” because it’s not something that we can touch, or see with our eyes. In this day and age, we focus on tangible things; things that we can put a label or a value on. “Happiness is an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment”. We may have been looking at the wrong places because happiness isn’t something we quantify, it’s something that we feel. Do you ever wonder what can make you happy? These suggestions might help: Know when to disconnect to connect Social media and its influence over us has grown leaps and bounds over the last few years; we know it, we feel it, we breathe it. Thanks (or no thanks?) to the pandemic, it has become one of the cheapest and most convenient ways to connect with people all around the world as we went into isolation for a few months. Pew Research Center shared that nearly 7 out of 10 Americans are social media users. How many TikTok videos have you watched in the last couple of days? By itself, there is absolutely nothing wrong with social media. In fact, it has helped the majority of us to cope through changing times. However, the way it is being used and the effects of such usage can be problematic. The rise of “influencers” and how they live their curated lives through their feed encouraged comparison and the need for validation. In order to boost esteem and satisfy the need to belong, we post content in the hopes that other people seeing it will “like” it. Because the need to feel validated is hinged on something as fickle as “likes and comments”, it can easily cause anxiety (and for some, even depression) when the desired “likes and comments” are not achieved. Never let social media dictate your happiness, because the dopamine levels it can give you isn’t meant to last. Instead, find meaningful connections with actual, real people. Now that most people are vaccinated and things are starting to normalize socially, take advantage of this time to reconnect with people and actually talk to them. Ask them how they’ve been, go on a coffee date to catch up and talk about how it’s going. Challenge yourself to go “phone-free” for a few hours a day and watch how your mood improves. Include a “gadget-free” bedroom as a part of your night time routine to help improve your sleep quality. Connect with yourself and write in an actual journal to untangle your thoughts for the day. Make your own “IG Highlights” by printing nice photos and hanging them in your living room. Happiness is being able to know that you should disconnect with your online self, so you can be more in tune with your actual self and the people that matter to you. Know that money is good, but understand that the best things in life are free Money is not evil; in fact money is amazing because it makes life comfortable. It makes you enjoy amazing things and experience a lot of awesome adventures. Jim Carrey once said that he hopes everybody could get rich and famous so they would know it’s not the answer to everything. While we all want to skip to the end where we’re all already rich, unfortunately we can’t. Money in itself is not the enemy, it’s how we use and “want” money that we should watch out for. What’s your relationship with money? How do you use it? Is it more of a means to an end, or is it the end-all, be-all goal? Make a conscious effort to improve your relationship with money and never let it interfere with more important priorities like your relationships and your health. It’s true that money can buy a lot of things. However, money can’t buy true happiness, because true happiness doesn’t come from “things” you own. Instead of putting all your energy on money, invest it on what matters like time with your family, and time with yourself, among others. Did you know that hugs are a natural stress reliever? Even if you’re not a hugger, try giving a hug at least once a day and see how it can instantly improve your mood. The beauty about a hug is you can’t give one, without receiving one too. Know that it’s okay to slow down In a world where being busy and being overworked are glorified as being “cool”, it’s almost a sin to want to slow down. The very idea of “slowing down” even scares most people; it’s as if there is always somewhere we need to go and the only way we’re getting there is if we move now. Patience is old news, and fast-paced is the trend. How many times have you been frustrated by the slow internet? When you constantly see that rainbow wheel almost mocking you in the face? Kids nowadays can’t be bothered to sit through an entire video, they hit the fast-forward button faster than they can walk. Articles now have that “5-min read” note at the start because people just need to know how much time they need to spend reading something. The thing is, rushing to do something tends to always feel more stressful. It also has the tendency to block out meaningful communication, breed resentment and cause stress. From this perspective, being fast and constantly moving doesn’t bring happiness at all. In fact, it’s the opposite! Think of something that you do everyday, and try to do it slower. Eating, for example. If you’re always rushing to eat because you need to be somewhere urgently, make a change and give yourself time to enjoy your meal. Strike a conversation with the person you’re sharing a meal with instead of gulfing down everything in a rush. Achieve clarity and harness the power of your emotions by taking your time. You’ll notice how you become a much better person, happier and with more meaningful connections with people and with yourself. Happiness doesn’t need to be an elusive concept. In fact, it’s almost right at your hands. What are you waiting for? Hug a friend, sip your tea, put down your phone, write in your journal, and go to bed with a smile on your lips and contentment in your heart. Happiness is always in the little things, you just need to look closer. Hero Image by Javier Allegue Barros on Unsplash
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Ace your next interview with these 3 tips
Whether you are fresh out of college, applying for a new job in the same industry, or transitioning in your career, doing an interview can be a nerve wracking experience. This may sound strange, but being “nervous” before an interview, may actually be a good thing for you. Being nervous is natural, it’s a part of your body’s response to stressful situations. It leads to a boost in the production of adrenaline which can actually be used to your advantage. This means your body has a built-in system to propel you forward and get you through difficult and stressful situations. All you need to do is to learn how to make the most out of it. Going in for your next big interview? Here are some tips to help you ace it. Shift your perspective It’s all about the mindset. Think of the interview as a conversation, and not an interrogation. They get to know you, just as much as you get to know them. They ask you questions to see whether you’re the perfect fit for the position they’re looking for, and you also ask them questions if their company is the environment you’re looking for. Think about this, if you get the job, you’re going to spend 8 (or more) hours of your entire day working for and with them, don’t you want to see this early if it’s worth it? You want them to like you, but ask yourself this question - do you like them too? Come Prepared The surest way to lose a war is to not bring any ammo. Enough said. It's very easy to say "be confident", but how in the world can you become confident if you don't even know what to say?! Confidence comes from knowing who you are, what your worth and what are the values and impact you can bring to the table. Speak from a place of knowing and believing that you are worth this job, and more. You may want and need the job like a glass of ice cold water on a hot summer's day, but you want to play it cool and confident without sounding cocky. You already know the basics of researching the company you're interviewing for. Cover the "About" page in their website and get to know more of what they do as a company and what people say about them. Try to find a connection between these things and your professional experience and your interests in relation to what you want to be doing if you get the job. Give them the “wow” factor by relating these to actual real life examples of scenarios and experiences you’ve had in the past. You can also draw them a picture of how you see these things help in realizing the company’s goals and targets. Practice Makes Perfect Never underestimate the power of practicing and rehearsing for an interview. You think all the good public speakers you know got good overnight? Nope. Public speaking is not just pure talent, it also requires a certain level of practice to master. If you're an introvert who naturally shies away from people, then all the more practicing will be beneficial, and necessary if you want to bag that interview. Ask a good friend to stand in for an interviewer for you. They don’t even need to have an HR experience, just anyone whom you know has your best interests at heart and can give you constructive comments and help you improve your content and delivery. Alternatively, record yourself on video so you can watch and critique yourself after. Get a list of possible interview questions and think about the best answers to them. DO NOT just copy answers off of the internet though! Always make sure to personalize it, own it, and make it sound organic. Also, DO NOT LIE! Sugar coating your experiences and making them “sound pretty” and very far from the actual truth may cause you trouble down the line. You probably heard it a million times over, but if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Do not be in the business of "winging things". Instead, be in the business of doing the work, coming prepared, and acing it. Ease the tension with Neuro You do things better when you're calm, there's no doubt about that. Before your interview, bring a couple of Neuro Calm and Clarity mints and pop one or two a few minutes before you need to go in. Every Neuro Calm and Clarity Mint is expertly developed and infused with GABA, Vitamin D3 and L-theanine. All these ingredients are known to ease tension and add focus - exactly what you need to get your head in the game! In conclusion, interviews, as scary as it is for most people, is not something to be feared but rather, something that needs to be prepared for. Conquer it by having the right mindset, coming prepared and getting the help you need. Who knows? Your dream job offer may just be on the other side of that interview you’re preparing for. Hero Image by Hunters Race on Unsplash
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Take a Break: 5 Ways Hobbies Can Improve Your Productivity and Creativity
When talking about improving productivity and focus at work, one particular piece of advice people would usually give you is to take a break. This way, you get to allow your mind and body to rest - to refresh - so that you don’t quickly get burned out. A lot of techniques are introduced for us to maximize our break from anything. One particular famous technique is the Pomodoro, where you take a few quick breaks between work hours. Some people use time blocking to give themselves a whole hour or two to rest. But, what most people forget to mention or emphasize is how you should spend your breaks. If you think about it, most people might probably take a power nap, browse on social media, or maybe watch a movie on Netflix. It’s the common way to chill just to have that release of dopamine that we need. It’s a good kind of break, but it doesn’t give you something more. And what usually happens is, once you’ve finished the movie or closed your social media, you are immediately forced back into reality, and you’re still burned out. So, what’s the best way to spend your break? It’s actually by spending it on something that really interests you - your hobby. Here are some ways how hobbies help improve your productivity and creativity: Reduce Your Stress Hobbies reduce your stress. It’s a perfect distraction from your hectic day. With a hobby, you get to spend more time for yourself, allowing you to release all that stress build-up. It allows you to disconnect yourself from work. But aside from just mainly disconnecting yourself, you are still keeping your mind active by doing something. And the best part is, what you’re doing won’t get you bored. So, if you have plotted an extra time in your day to take a break, spend it on something that will help keep you in motion but will also not give you stress. You Get to Experience Eustress Eustress is a healthy kind of stress that somehow gives excitement. So, instead of the usual stress that makes you worry, eustress keeps you happy and very active. If you think that work is getting boring, there’s no growth, or it’s no longer interesting, a hobby can help you with that. This way, you can have a break from your dull day. And the best part about this is that even if you’re done working on your art or reading a book, you get to bring this happy momentum to work. It’s the perfect way to counteract burnout. On top of that, it gives you a better perspective on what work-life balance means to you. Because now, your days will not only be about work but also about yourself. Helps You Recover from Demanding Days The very purpose of rest or taking a break is to help you recover. You’ve been using your mind a lot at work, and without that chance to escape, your productivity will just get lower and lower. You should always have some time for yourself and work. You should always have this invisible boundary between the two, which is why you should block time for your hobby. And if your hobby is something that interests you or it’s something you love, you will spend more time with it. Let’s say your hobby is writing, and you have this goal to finish a fiction book in two months. In order to do that, you want to give yourself an hour a day to write. So, whatever it is you’re working on, outside your hobby, you’re going to stop that even for just an hour so you can write your book. So what happens is, your hobby forces you to take a break to do something you want. And it doesn’t have to be work-related, as long as it keeps you happy and active. Exercises a New Part of Your Brain Another great thing about hobbies is that you can try a lot of them. You want to make reading a hobby now, or painting next, then try out knitting, etc. Your choices are endless. The only important thing is you get to enjoy. And since you can try new things, you get to exercise some parts of your brain that you don’t utilize often. If you prefer doing something physical like dancing, music, theater, and sports, your brain trains your executive functions. Mind games and strategic games like chess open a different part of your brain. If you try to play an instrument, that also enhances another area. And if you learn a foreign language, you get to boost cognitive functions. In other words, your hobbies can improve your brain, making it healthier and more active. It makes you creative at work. And you even get to learn things that may help you with work, although it might seem unrelated. Enters You in Flow State Finally, hobbies can help you enter the flow state. Flow state refers to being “in the zone.” It’s a state when you are fully immersed in doing something. Have you ever wondered why it feels like time flies FASTER when you’re doing something you love? An hour doesn’t even feel like an hour. This is because your mind is in that state of intense focus. What’s good about this is that it helps restore your mind and energy, improves your concentration, and enhances your creativity. The best part about this is that the flow doesn’t stop after you do the hobby. Sometimes, you even bring this flow to your work environment. Effects can also last longer and will improve your overall performance. Final Say Taking breaks is essential in our day-to-day lives. After all, we’re humans, not robots. So, think about how you want to make your life better by thinking about how to spend your breaks better. If you want that temporary surge of dopamine, go and scroll through your social media or binge-watch some series. But if it’s the mental improvement you’re looking for, creating hobbies is the start. You can also supplement your hobbies with Neuro Energy & Focus gum and mints. With nothing but functional ingredients, this product will help you focus the whole day, whether you’re doing work or play - or both. Hero Image by Ross Sneddon on Unsplash
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Making the Most of Your July 4th Celebrations
Ah, yes. Summer has arrived! (And so has the COVID-19 vaccine!) This must mean that the day marked by sparks of red, white, and blue is around the corner. The smell of grilled hamburgers will soon be wafting through the air. Fireworks will be dancing among the stars. But most importantly, family and friends will once again come together to safely celebrate. Though, let’s be honest. Preparing for and hosting a Fourth of July party can be a struggle. While juggling your full-time job and the kids’ summer agendas, shopping for USA-themed decorations may not be your top priority. (In fact, tonight’s dinner is still a mystery.) The grill is likely low on propane. You’ll need to head to the store before the rush of last-minute shoppers floods the aisles. And don’t forget about the sparklers and sidewalk chalk. Failing to make those purchases is cause for an uprising from the little ones. It’s safe to say that there’s never a dull moment! Organizing a July 4th celebration is daunting. Yet, there are ways to reduce unwarranted stress. Continue reading for tips and tricks on how to have a hassle-free holiday party. Make A List First, choose your weapon: pen and paper or virtual notepad. When you're out and about, it’s easy to let one of those mental notes slip your mind. There’s nothing worse than getting home and realizing you forgot the ingredients for s’mores! Making a list will allow you to organize your thoughts in one place. It’s easy and efficient! With a working to-do list in front of you, sequence your tasks. Ideally, you should send invites and determine headcount before you buy food and drinks. If possible, try to be mindful of your guests’ allergies and dietary restrictions. Asking your family and friends to note such things when they RSVP will allow you to plan accordingly. You may also find it helpful to categorize your list by location (i.e., grocery store, bakery, liquor store, dollar store, gas station) or type of product (i.e., food, desserts, beverages, decorations and games, propane). If you’re sticking to a budget, sweep the house for any essentials you already have. These may include paper plates, plasticware, condiments, and decorations. Check the forecast to determine whether your guests will gather on the patio or in the kitchen. With sun and clear skies, an outdoor party is the way to go. And you can even decorate the night before. Play Music that Fits the Vibe What’s a party without some good tunes? Music is sure to elevate the mood! There’s a quick and easy way to create a playlist suitable for you and your guests. Spotify allows users to create collaborative playlists. And guess what? It’s free! Once you download the Spotify app on your device and make a profile, the rest is a breeze. Create a new playlist, add a relevant title, and select “make collaborative.” You can now encourage your guests to add songs from their favorite artists and genres. With the music under control, that’s one thing you can check off the to-do list! Maybe some of your guests are musically inclined. A fun alternative to a collaborative playlist is live music. Invite your gifted family members and friends to sing and play instruments at your gathering. This could turn into a fun karaoke night! Educate Yourself Picture this… You have a near-completed to-do list and a sense of accomplishment. The party is tomorrow, and your guests couldn’t be more excited. You remembered the graham crackers and chocolate bars, as well as the sparklers and sidewalk chalk. You foresee the kids’ smiling faces as they hold their sparklers up against the night sky. After you dust and decorate, the couch is calling your name! A much-deserved break awaits. Instead of spending the next 30 minutes searching for the ideal TV show or movie, consider a history lesson. There’s no time like the present to learn something new. Start by understanding more about the different aspects of Independence Day. Search for what most history books do not include: Black history. You may be surprised about what you find. In a video created by NPR, the descendants of abolitionist Frederick Douglass deliver a powerful message. They read and reflect on one of his famous speeches titled, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Douglass’ young relatives highlight a Black person’s ongoing fight for equal rights. When the United States achieved freedom, Black men and women remained enslaved. To this day, Black Americans are still disadvantaged. VIDEO: Frederick Douglass' Descendants Deliver His ‘Fourth Of July’ Speech Last Words Make a list, play your favorite music, and learn some history. These are great ways to have a productive and enjoyable July 4th celebration. Before you go, check this out. To put that much-needed pep in your step when you’re shopping and decorating, try Neuro Energy & Focus Gum. Created to foster a healthy balance between body and mind, this product helps you hone in on the task at hand. That boost of energy is what you need to organize the best party for you and your guests. But, wait! With some spare time on your hands, you find time for a history lesson. Neuro comes to you with its Calm & Clarity Mints. This product is designed to put your mind at ease, allowing you to shake away any impending stressors. With Neuro Gum and Mints, you got this!
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“That Stuff in Tea": What Is L-Theanine, Exactly?
There are only 24 hours in a day, and even with only those 24 hours, there are lots of things we want to accomplish. Whether it’s personal or career goals, we want something. But, one thing that has always been stopping us is burnout and stress. Sometimes, no matter how much our mind wants to continue, our body is tired. And in cases where our body feels alive, our minds don’t want to think about anything. There’s always this sort of imbalance that we can’t always get ourselves into that flow. For years, researchers have been looking for ways for people to cope with everyday stress triggers. And there’s one particular amino acid that they have found to help with these problems - and that is L-theanine. In this article, we’re going to talk more about this substance: what it is, how it works, its benefits, and why it’s an essential ingredient. This way, you’ll have a better understanding of why it’s included in both our Energy & Focus and Calm & Clarity formulas. What is L-theanine? So, what is L-theanine? L-theanine is an amino acid typically found in tea leaves and some mushrooms. It was discovered around 1949, and the scientists’ initial thought was that it only adds flavor to the tea. However, further research proved that there’s more to this substance than just getting rid of the tea’s bitterness. It has been found that L-theanine also has a significant effect on our cognitive function, making us achieve a “wakeful relaxation” or the ideal state of mind. But, how does this work? How does L-theanine Work? If you are drinking tea, have you noticed how it helps calm you down? That it somehow releases any tension you’ve been feeling? Well, this is mainly because of the L-theanine substance. It has been found that L-theanine decreases the chemicals in your brain that contribute to your stress and anxiety. And at almost the same time, it sends signals to your brain to stay calm. Here’s how that happens: The first thing L-theanine does is it increases the levels of GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid), serotonin, and dopamine. These are calming brain chemicals or neurotransmitters that help regulate your cognitive skills. By increasing these chemicals’ levels, you feel more relaxed, and it even promotes better sleep. Then, at almost the same time, L-theanine decreases “excitatory” brain chemical levels. These are chemicals in your brain that make you stressed and anxious. So, by doing this, L-theanine is protecting your brain cells from suffering those effects. And lastly, L-theanine gets to enhance alpha brain waves. Since your mind is now in a calm state, it’s easier for you to get to that “wakeful relaxation” or that state where you’re just in that flow - relaxed, creative, and active. Therefore, L-theanine brings you to that ideal state where you’re neither tired nor overly energetic. L-theanine Benefits With only the three steps enumerated above, L-theanine can already do a lot to your mind. And if you’re going to think about it, there are so many benefits that this simple substance can bring to you every day. Improved SleepBecause your mind and body are now more relaxed, it’s a guarantee that your sleeping experience is improved. You’ll be able to sleep faster and throughout the night.Now, it’s best to note that this substance is not putting you to sleep. Instead, it’s just making you fully relaxed so that sleeping is no longer a problem. Anxiety and Stress Relief Another significant benefit brought by L-theanine is that it relieves you from stress and anxiety. Your mind just feels clear of any problems, and it’s what makes you function better. Increased Focus L-theanine also helps increase your focus. Your mind is clearer now, so you’re no longer worrying a lot because you’re getting a lot of things done in a day. Enhanced Attention, Memory, and Learning As mentioned earlier, L-theanine helps boost levels of the calming brain chemicals that regulate your cognitive skills. Because of this, you become more alert, you have better energy levels, you absorb knowledge better, and more. There’s no longer anything there that can interrupt your memory and learning functions. Healthy Weight Maintained L-theanine has always been found to affect weight loss. But the real reason for this is that it makes you less stressed and allows you to sleep well. Thus, helping you maintain a healthy weight. Better Immunity Finally, since you’re already functioning better, you’re getting enough sleep, and you’re no longer pushing yourself to the point of burnout, you become healthier and happier. But other than that, it has also been found that L-theanine decreases infections in the upper respiratory tract and even helps prevent flu. Why It Is An Essential Ingredient At Neuro, the main goal is to help you achieve that ideal state of mind. The state wherein you’re not suffering from jitters because of extraordinary energy levels, and you do not also slump because of the low energy levels. The ideal state is that balance where you are energetic yet calm. How is this achieved? When we want high energy levels, the first thought typically is to get some caffeine into our system. It’s that energizer that keeps you awake so you can do more. However, too much caffeine will lead to caffeine jitters, which is no longer good. And this is where L-theanine comes in. It’s the best support caffeine needs to combat the adverse side effects it brings to the body. The result is an ‘energetic you’ that can function and think clearly. Final Say L-theanine alone is a great substance that already offers excellent benefits to the mind. And it’s the perfect substance that can balance out the effects of caffeine, which is why we found it necessary to include this ingredient. Caffeine and L-theanine are two of the most essential ingredients on our Neuro Calm &Clarity and Neuro Energy & Focus products. One is formulated to harness and improve mental clarity, while the other helps you elevate your energy levels and sustain mental endurance to stay focused. By combining the Neuro Calm & Clarity and Neuro Energy & Focus, achieving that ideal state of mind is easier. Hero Image by Matcha & CO on Unsplash
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Self-Care: 3 Ways Yoga Can Improve Your Mental Health
Yoga is a very popular physical activity that is always known to improve mental health. The combination of breathing, meditation, stretching, and poses are all designed to give anyone that practices it a sense of relief. When it comes to self-care and taking care of mental health, yoga is always recommended. It already has this image that can somehow turn your negative feelings in your surroundings into something positive. But have you ever wondered how yoga makes this possible? And in what ways can it improve your mental health? This article will explain how doing this activity can improve your state of mind in three ways. But before we go there, let us first go deeper into what yoga is. What Is Yoga? Yoga is best described as a full mind and body exercise. So unlike workouts that can make you lose weight or gain muscle, yoga goes beyond by giving your mind the exercise it needs, too. This practice has already existed for thousands of years and was passed on from generation to generation. It was said to be originally a meditation practice only. However, it has been found that as you meditate, you get to recognize parts of your body that need something, and that’s when stretching and the physical aspect were added. Added to that, it even teaches you breathing techniques that help you focus and relax. What’s good about learning these techniques is that you can even apply them any time when you’re stressed out. As you can see, yoga involves two of the main things we need to relax our mind: meditation and breathing. Here are some ways how these two improve our mental health. Yoga Combats Negative Emotions When you’re experiencing a lot of stress, negative emotions flow in your body - anger, anxiety, worry, etc. This is mainly because your body reacts to stress by activating the sympathetic nervous system, which increases our blood pressure and heart rate. It will take a lot of time before you get this down. But with the correct breathing, you can reserve your body’s reaction. As you already know, yoga involves a lot of breathing. Combine this with meditation, and you can learn how to focus on your breathing. This immediately sets you into a relaxed state, lowered heart rate and lowered blood pressure. Now, combine that again with physical exercise, and it will help boost circulation and release of dopamine and other good brain hormones. This is what makes you happier and have a more positive outlook. Yoga Promotes Productivity Yoga also helps you perform better by promoting productivity. Sometimes, you might be unproductive because you’re tired. Your mind might not have gotten enough rest, and this is what yoga can help you achieve. On top of that, it helps reduce stress which prevents you from being your best, creative self. By doing yoga first thing in the morning, you get to set the mood for the day. Again, you’re releasing dopamine, which helps make you happy. And the happier you can perform better than the grumpy, angry version of yourself. Now that you’re in the mood, it also gives you confidence that you can accomplish anything. Yoga can sometimes bring this feeling of empowerment that you start to feel good and believe in yourself. But the best part is, this physical activity stretches out most parts of your body, from your back to your shoulders and neck. It allows you to release any stiffness, which helps make you focus on your work better. Yoga Helps Clear Your Mind Yoga allows you to focus on the present, on your breathing, and on your body. Therefore, whatever problems you have at work or any troubles in the past, yoga pushes that away from your mind. Instead, the practice pushes you to feel and listen to your body at the moment, helping you understand what your body needs. This practice stills your thoughts, so your focus is only on what you’re doing at the moment. Nothing else matters. And this is what puts you in a state of flow. Yoga Poses To Clear Your Mind If you haven’t done yoga yet and want to try, you can start with these five poses: Mountain Pose: Stand up straight, your toes facing forward, your hands together in front of the chest, and you bow your head. Then, hold your breath for 30 seconds when doing the practice. Butterfly Pose: For this one, you need to sit on the floor, your knees out to the side, then bring your bottoms of the feet together. Your hands can hold your feet to ensure they stay together. Then, breathe. Eagle Pose: This requires more concentration. Stand up straight. Cross one leg over the other, sink your hips (it depends how low you want), wrap your one arm to the other, and press your palms together (fingertips should be towards the ceiling). Standing Split: Stand straight, bend down to put your hands on the floor, then lift one foot towards the ceiling. Child’s Pose: Kneel on your mat (knees together or wide apart), bend over, let your forehead touch the mat, and stretch your arms forward. With continuous practice, everything will become natural, and you can improve your concentration a lot by focusing on the moment. It will allow you to finish tasks faster because you’re not thinking about what other things you need to do. Final Say Yoga has always been related to stress relief and improving quality of mind. However, there’s also no denying that familiarizing yourself with the practice is not easy. Significant changes won’t be felt overnight, but yoga can get you in a flow state as long as you do things consistently. You can then supplement with Neuro Gum and Mints, and create a balance between your relaxed and active self. Yoga is best described as a full mind and body exercise. Usual workouts can make you lose weight or gain muscle but not necessarily make your mind healthy. That's why Total Shape emphasized the balance of that with its fitness plans that even include yoga. Yoga goes beyond by giving your mind the exercise it needs, too. Hero Image by kike vega on Unsplash
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