We all know what happens to our computer when its memory is full….it slows down. So it’s no wonder that our brain starts to creak when it’s overloaded.
Mindfulness meditation and relaxation help memory maintenance….
Relaxation is your body’s way of rejuvenating. Relaxing allows time for your mind and body to repair. It has also been shown that relaxing improves your mood and improves brain function and memory.
I have found the importance of relaxation in my own life. I’ve discovered when I neglect finding time to relax; I do not perform as well in any area of my life. It’s not that I don’t like to relax, but in the midst of a chaotic schedule, I found it hard to find the time.
Here are some ways I’ve learned to incorporate relaxation into my daily schedule.
1) Making time for downtime
If you want to relax, sometimes you have to make time. You may want to wake up a few minutes earlier and give yourself time to enjoy that cup of coffee instead of running out the door with it in hand. You may also try to have “scheduled relaxation” – having designated times just to relax, even if only for a few minutes.
We schedule other important aspects of our lives – why not relaxation?
2) Free your mind
Challenge yourself to have a least a few minutes every day to free your mind. I’ve found it easiest to incorporate this into my weekly runs . For 30 minutes I run in silence, just enjoying the great outdoors.
3) Get away
We can all appreciate a nice getaway, and more often than not associate getting away with a holiday. What about when we can’t take a holiday though? Getting away can be as simple as changing your surroundings, and if you are unable to do that, visualize being somewhere else!
If you find yourself having a stressful moment at work, take a walk outside. If you don’t have that luxury, escape to the bathroom – no one really ever questions that. If you find that you have to stay in your seat, close your eyes and find your happy place. Sometimes a little break is all we need to relax.
Find time to relax and take care of yourself….if we don’t take care of ourselves, who will?