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Inner Peace Be Upon You
# 0390 Peace and Blessings Every Day
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Your brain
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Your brain needs exercise just like a muscle. If you use it
often and in the right ways, you will become a more skilled
thinker and increase your ability to focus. But if you never use
your brain, or abuse it with harmful chemicals, your ability to
think and learn will deteriorate.
Here are 5 simple ways anyone can squeeze a bit more
productivity out of the old gray matter.
1. Minimize Television Watching - This is a hard sell. People
love vegetating in front of the television, myself included more
often than I'd like. The problem is watching television doesn't
use your mental capacity OR allow it to recharge. It's like
having the energy sapped out of a muscle without the health
benefits of exercise.
Don't you feel drained after a couple hours of TV? Your eyes are
sore and tired from being focused on the light box for so long.
You don't even have the energy to read a book.
When you feel like relaxing, try reading a book instead. If
you're too tired, listen to some music. When you're with your
friends or family, leave the tube off and have a conversation.
All of these things use your mind more than television and allow
you to relax.
2. Exercise - I used to think that I'd learn more by not
exercising and using the time to read a book instead. But I
realized that time spent exercising always leads to greater
learning because it improves productivity during the time
afterwards. Using your body clears your head and creates a wave
of energy. Afterwards, you feel invigorated and can concentrate
more easily.
3. Read Challenging Books - Many people like to read popular
suspense fiction, but generally these books aren't mentally
stimulating. If you want to improve your thinking and writing
ability you should read books that make you focus. Reading a
classic novel can change your view of the world and will make
you think in more precise, elegant English. Don't be afraid to
look up a word if you don't know it, and don't be afraid of
dense passages. Take your time, re-read when necessary, and
you'll soon grow accustomed to the author's style.
Once you get used to reading challenging books, I think you'll
find that you aren't tempted to go back to page-turners. The
challenge of learning new ideas is far more exciting than any
tacky suspense-thriller.
4. Early to Bed, Early to Rise - Nothing makes it harder to
concentrate than sleep deprivation. You'll be most rejuvenated
if you go to bed early and don't sleep more than 8 hours. If you
stay up late and compensate by sleeping late, you'll wake up
lethargic and have trouble focusing. In my experience the early
morning hours are the most tranquil and productive. Waking up
early gives you more productive hours and maximizes your mental
acuity all day.
If you have the opportunity, take 10-20 minute naps when you are
hit with a wave of drowsiness. Anything longer will make you
lethargic, but a short nap will refresh you.
5. Take Time to Reflect - Often our lives get so hectic that we
become overwhelmed without even realizing it. It becomes
difficult to concentrate because nagging thoughts keep
interrupting. Spending some time alone in reflection gives you a
chance organize your thoughts and prioritize your
responsibilities. Afterwards, you'll have a better understanding
of what's important and what isn't. The unimportant stuff won't
bother you anymore and your mind will feel less encumbered.
I'm not saying you need to sit on the floor cross-legged and
chant 'ommm'. Anything that allows a bit of prolonged solitude
will do. One of my personal favorites is taking a solitary walk.
Someone famous said, "All the best ideas occur while walking." I
think he was on to something. Experiment to find the activity
that works best for you.
Conclusion - I hope you aren't disappointed that none of the
techniques I've proposed are revolutionary. But simple,
unexciting answers are often the most valid. The challenge is
having the will to adhere to them. If you succeed in following
these 5 tips, you'll be rewarded with increased mental acuity
and retention of knowledge.
Inner Peace Be Upon You.
Thank you for inviting Inner Peace Be Upon You into your mailbox.
Change a life, give a friend Peace and Blessings.
See you tomorrow.
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