Your Brain May Need Less Pressure, Not More

When we forget things, it’s can be easy to beat ourselves up. However, criticizing yourself can add another demand to an already overloaded mind.

Thoughts such as “What is wrong with me?” or “I should be able to handle this” create frustration, shame, and additional stress—making it even harder to think clearly.

Beating yourself up rarely improves concentration. A calmer response—“My mind is overloaded right now. What would make this easier?”—creates room to identify what you actually need.

And I have found that trying harder is not always the answer; simplifying often works better.

For example, instead of staring at a long to-do list and demanding that you work faster, choose the three most important tasks, decide which one comes first, and temporarily set the rest aside. Reducing the number of things competing for your attention can help you accomplish more—not less. And can make you feel less overwhelmed.

Something I do all the time is to externalize information instead of expecting my brain to hold everything:

• o  Write tasks down.
• o  Use reminders. I am the Post-It Note Queen! I have them everywhere and that way I don’t stress about remembering things. Once I do what was on the note, I throw it away. 
• o  Complete one task at a time, staying with it until it is finished.
• o  Reduce unnecessary decisions. Use the KISS approach: Keep It Simple and Straightforward.

Focus becomes easier when your mind feels safe, supported, and clear about what matters right now.

Rest and mental breaks support productivity; they are not rewards that must first be earned. Often I will work for a specific amount of time (I’m doing that right now). Once the hour (or whatever the amount of time) is done, I stop working – even if the task is incomplete. I tell myself that I’ve made some progress and I’ll finish things later.

Asking God for wisdom may include accepting that everything does not need to be done today. Sometimes wisdom means recognizing what matters most, releasing what can wait, and giving yourself permission to do less—but do it well.

Moving from stress to God’s peace—one practical step at a time.

Dr. Melissa Rich

Whole-Person Wellness that Honors God’s Design

https://drmelissarich.com