I just HAD to share this with you, because when I read this, it completely blew my mind.
Have you ever …
- Attended a virtual meeting while you scrolled your phone for the latest headlines (or, ahem, checked your social media notifications)?
- Juggled two work projects at the exact same time because you thought you could do them in half the time?
- Listened to a training/course/book while folding the laundry, cooking a meal, and/or caring for a family member?
- Checked your email or phone several times in the middle of a project?
I'm totally guilty of all of the above!
It might seem like you’re streamlining your to-do list by tackling several things at once, but you can actually be cluttering your brain.
This can lead to more mistakes, retaining less info, and actually changing how your brain works (not for the better).
In fact, multitasking on projects that require a lot of thought can make your IQ score dip the same way it does for people who stay up all night!
Check this out: in one study, men who multitasked had their IQ drop 15 points … so that their score was the same as an average 8-year-old child.
This happens because of the way our brains function, according to researchers from the University of Southern California.
When you need to pay attention to something, your brain’s prefrontal cortex springs to action. It keeps your brain focused on a single goal while also working with other parts of your brain to help you finish the task.
And when you work on one task at a time, both sides of the prefrontal cortex work together in beautiful harmony.
BUT … if you try to focus on TWO TASKS at a time, the left and right sides each do their own thing.
You can see how this would make it hard for your brain to FOCUS …
making it even harder to pay attention to the details and retain more info. Plus, researchers say it can cause THREE TIMES as many mistakes!
So, what is the solution? It works like a charm… and it also cuts down on stress – more on that in a sec.
The tip: Set a timer for 20-40 minutes and FOCUS ON ONE TASK. Then, take a mini 5-10 minute “intermission” break, and set the timer again for another period of focus.
Game-changer!
BONUS BENEFIT ALERT … people who felt stressed while multitasking ate more unhealthy snacks, according to researchers.
This isn’t surprising, since stress is linked to food cravings!
Just something to think about. :-)
I believe it’s all connected. Healthy habits fuel a healthy lifestyle. If you need assistance in this area, reach out. Check out my updated website and see all the various ways I can champion you on your wellness journey. www.ColleenRiddle.com
P.S.
I use Peppermint Essential Oil to help me focus. Studies have shown it helps with focus and alertness in the brain.
REFERENCES:
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
This month we are getting real with ourselves and moving past our unhealthy coping mechanisms to do the real work, and we are using the Feelings Kit from Young Living Essential Oils to help us release past trauma and emotional blocks.
Yes, I'm normal and have my own coping mechanisms. Most of the time it's wine. Yup....I'm a personal trainer and I love wine. There's no problem with drinking wine, but I know that sometimes it's an automatic "go to" when I'm stressed out or angry. Instead of digging in and "feeling," I grab the glass of wine.
How about you? Do you flip on Netflix to escape and grab a bag of Doritos? Hop on Amazon and shop the night away?
As the gatekeepers of our homes we have such a great opportunity to bring in healthy products and create healthy habits for ourselves and families! Join us as we detox our emotions this month and switch out conventional coping mechanisms for healthier, healing options!
For May, we are focusing on digging deep to release all our comfort vices, sit with and honor our experiences and trauma, and do the emotional work needed to move forward in healing and self love. Instead of turning to things like detachment, Netflix binges, alcohol, food, sugar, shopping, work, projects or any other comfort measure that keeps us from truly processing the emotions beneath, we are going to pull out the Feelings Kit and use these oil blends with intention and consistency!
Why use these essential oils (or oils at all?!) for this process? Because of the power of aromatherapy and the limbic system. Our sense of smell is directly related to our emotions and mood. The cranial nerve associated with smell sits next to the hypothalamus - the area of the brain responsible for mood, feelings and emotional processing. Further, the Feelings Kit blends contain a combination of oils high in compounds that can cross the blood brain barrier to reprogram bad coding from the cells. Then other compounds rewrite that code to restore the original perfect copy, one that will not keep us pulled into the physical and emotional effects of stress. This is a process, but the great thing about essential oils is that we have a CHOICE to embrace that process instead of loading our bodies up with lots of toxins and other things that create more confusion in the cells.
The Feelings Collection includes six essential oil blends, each of which is a powerful tool for supporting and releasing emotional patterns. Use in the morning and evening to promote peaceful thoughts and spiritual harmony. To learn more click here and check out the fascinating Feelings Kit. https://colleenriddle.lifestepseo.com/resources/90d956aa-f545-4b26-9613-3ebcd41efbf9
Reach out if you'd like more information or to get started with us. There's a group of us doing it together and we have extra, helpful information to go along with the kit! I'm on Day 3 and loving it!
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
Join me as I share a great article I read about 10 phrases to drop from your vocabulary. I saw it in Success Magazine and found it intriguing and insightful! Whether you are leading a team, presenting to a client, or even communicating with family members, verbal mistakes can undermine your credibility and distract from the message. I'd love to hear if you use any of the phrases. I'm specifically working on eliminating number 2 and number 10!
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
