Think Tank: The Neuro Blog
5 Ways you can Improve your Daily Performance
Our daily lives are inundated with a lot of things - deadlines, news, chores, expectations, goals, etc. We wear different hats for our different roles and sometimes we feel that the 24hrs we have in a day aren’t enough to do everything we need to do. But since we can’t have more time, how do we make sure our day is enough to fit in everything? Everyone only has the same hours in a day, but if we optimize our daily performance, we give value to our time and make sure to spend it doing only the things that add value to us as individuals. Do you need some help in improving your daily performance? Here are some ways you can get started. Plan, Organize & Prioritize Imagine this - you just got off the weekly meeting with your team, and while everyone left with their fair share of tasks for the next week, you feel like you got the majority of the harder ones. You sulk a lot, fidget a little and decide that the world is conspiring against you. How in the world are you going to do all these tasks in the coming week?! Okay, let’s say for the sake of argument that you have a ton of things to do on your to-do list, and they may all seem time-sensitive. But, if you take a closer look at each of them, you’ll see they might not all need to be done “immediately”. Start by organizing them into the bigger categories - which tasks can be grouped together? Which tasks are similar in nature? Which tasks are dependent on another? Then, prioritize each category according to urgency. Which of the tasks is the “mother of all”? Which one needed to be done so the rest can follow? Finally, plan your week and set goals for each day. How much time do you think you’ll need to finish one category? Is it doable within the given time frame, or is your manager asking you to do something impossible? Having a workflow to start your day may also help. Allocate specific time slots in your day to do blocks of work. If you have 8hrs of work, divide by the number of tasks and the time needed to complete each one. For example, which time slots in your day are you reserving for meetings? And for how long? Which time slots are you dedicating to clearing out your inbox? Set aside time for each task and block them in your calendar so you know what exactly you need to be doing at a certain time of each day. Planning helps you identify your goals clearly. Organizing helps you make sense of the chaos that is either in your head or at your desk. It’ll reduce the chances of being overwhelmed and make you see clearly the direction you’re going. Time is a very valuable resource, and learning how to prioritize gives value to where you spend yours. Learn how and when to say “no” and mean it Whether you’re a confident, outgoing extrovert or a shy, timid introvert, saying “no” may be difficult, especially if you’ve been saying “yes” most of your life. If you want to optimize your daily performance, saying “no” might be a skill you need to learn. How many extra tasks at work have you said “yes” to just because you don’t want to offend an officemate? How many meetings did you attend when you really had no business being there in the first place? Learning when and how to say “no” to these things will give you the time you need to do the things you’re actually needed to do. In these instances, learning how to say “no” respectfully will help you avoid awkward conversations and situations. Saying “no” applies to yourself too! Sometimes, you are the distraction to whatever it is you’re doing. You’re distracted by every stimulus and you just can’t help it. Just today, how many times did you check your phone “just because”? When distraction knocks, try saying a loud “no” to refocus yourself. If saying “no” to digital distractions may mean putting yourself on a phone timeout and uninstalling certain apps on your phone during the week (just reinstall them over the weekend), then go do it. Aim for progress, not perfection When you procrastinate and wait for something to be perfect before you do it, you’re going to end up waiting forever. Sorry to burst anyone’s bubble here, but nothing is ever going to be perfect. But that doesn’t mean it’s not beautiful. Perfectionism slows you down. It gets in the way of you being open to other ideas and ways to do things. How many times have you procrastinated working on a project because the “time is not right”? If you focus on progress, on the other hand, it motivates you to keep going. It gives you wins and reasons to celebrate and move forward. Set yourself up for success Setting yourself up for success daily is a key factor in driving up your performance. Making sure that you have an optimal physical working environment is important as well as ensuring that the correct systems and tools are in place. Do you have the right tools and systems to accomplish your tasks? When was the last time you upgraded your computer’s software? Are your systems and tools helping you make progress, or are they slowing you down? Taking advantage of digital resources to make your daily workflow easier will definitely increase your performance too. Can any of your tasks be automated? Can you set up templates so you don’t need to manually do everything? Can you set up SOPs with detailed instructions so other team members can also pitch in on the tasks? Take care of yourself Last but definitely not least, you can improve daily performance by taking care of your most important asset - you. How can you expect yourself to perform at your best when you’re not feeling your best? Burnout is real and it will affect you physically, mentally and emotionally if you don’t do something about it. Your energy and focus are key factors in your success; thus, they should be a priority. Making sure that you get enough sleep, eat healthily, and incorporate a simple fitness regimen in your daily routine will help in improving your daily performance, not just at work, but in life in general. Setting clear boundaries between work and personal life is also important. No one will respect your boundaries if you keep trampling on them. Set them, make them known, and stand by them. You may be on the quest to always be better at what you do, but remember, you are not in this world to work and pay bills. There is a big, beautiful world outside your laptop and it is waiting for you. Take breaks when you need to and buy yourself that *insert whatever is in your online shopping cart* because you’ve been such a hard worker and you deserve it. Hero Image by Adeolu Eletu on Unsplash
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3 Reasons Why It's Okay to Quit
Let’s talk about something uncomfortable - quitting. How many times in your life were you told that “winners never quit” or “quitters never win”? Most of us have been directly and indirectly conditioned since childhood that in order to succeed at something, we must persevere, we must be relentless and we must never quit. While these sayings may be true at a certain level, the majority of us have been conditioned to take these things in the literal sense - that whatever happens, whether the things that we’re pursuing are hurting us physically, psychologically, mentally and emotionally, we shouldn’t stop, or else we won’t win. The thing is, sometimes you have to quit so you can win. Say for example, you have a problem, and like the go-getter and high achiever that you are, you want to solve it. You have an approach in your mind that you know is going to work. You spend your time working on it. In your ideal world, it would work. But it didn’t. Like a dog with a bone, you hyperfocus on making your approach work. The idea of abandoning it didn’t cross your mind because you’re not a quitter, and you will do whatever it takes even if it makes you lose focus of what the entire situation is all about. Maybe it’s not even a problem to begin with? Maybe if you look at things from a different angle, you would see things differently? But because you’re focused on not quitting, you lose perspective. It might take a lot of mindset shifts in order for you to change the way you look at quitting. If you do plan on quitting anything - be it a job that sucks the life out of you, an abusive relationship, a toxic friendship, or a routine that isn’t doing you any good, here are some reasons that just might encourage you to take that brave step. Quitting doesn’t mean weakness Quitting something doesn’t make you weak. It doesn’t define you and your whole life. Think of it as a representation of a part of your life when you choose to prioritize yourself and the things that matter to you. Quitting doesn’t make you weak, or lost, or confused. In fact, because you quit on something that is making you unhappy, you allow yourself to be a step closer to the things that will make you happy. You’re strong enough to realize that your current situation is not working for you - it’s not aligned with your passion, it’s not sitting well with your values, it’s suffocating the fire in you, and you’re ready to quit. You’re also mentally strong enough to know that there is more to “quitting” than just giving your 2 weeks notice in. You’re strong enough to plan, strategize and make sure that you’re taking calculated risks and the timing is right. That’s not weakness, that’s strength. Quitting isn’t the same as “giving up” on your goals Everybody wants to be a winner, that’s natural. Everybody wants to achieve their goals, live their dream lives and work in their dream jobs - these are normal and intrinsic wants in life. You have to understand that quitting something that is not doing you any good, is not “giving up” on your goals. Rather, it means pursuing other things that are actually good for you to get you closer to your goal. Say for example that your goal is to be at the top of the corporate ladder and you slave away working long hours at a job you hate because “you’ve been there long enough” and it’s your “straight line to the top”. Ask yourself - is that the only way? Are you not meant to enjoy the journey as much as the destination? Quitting encourages you to take a step back and reexamine your goals - are they really what you want? Are they really what would make you happy? Quitting is an investment in you If you bet on yourself, you’ll never lose. Human beings tend to have a psychological quirk described as “escalation of commitment to a failing course of action”. It’s that voice in your head that tells you if you suffer just a little longer, things will eventually work out. Before you know it, you’re stuck at a dead end job or still in a toxic relationship, for years on end. Quitting on the things that are not good for you, is an investment you put towards yourself. It's a conscious step towards regaining control of your time, your energy, your resources, your talents, and then using them on the things that you actually enjoy doing. Quitting can create more space for what matters You only have 24 hours in a day, that’s a fact. If you’re using half of that time to do things that you do not enjoy or spend them with people who are not good for you, you essentially rob yourself of the time, energy and space to do the things that you enjoy and the relationships that can bring out the best in you. "Extra time" don’t magically appear out of thin air, they just don’t. You have to consciously make time for the things that matter, and quitting on things that don’t is a way to allow you to. Quitting allows you to intentionally create space for other opportunities, those that you actually want and enjoy, to come. In conclusion, quitting is hard and it will be uncomfortable, that’s for sure. It might mean moving out of your comfort zone and losing your sense of familiarity. But it might also mean giving yourself the opportunity to rediscover your identity, your strengths and your passion. It might allow you to do and experience the things that truly bring you joy and make you excited to wake up in the mornings. For these and more, don’t the rewards far outweigh the risks? Hero Image by Kristopher Roller on Unsplash
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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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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
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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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Make Working From Home More Productive With These Three Hacks
With many businesses forced to transition to remote working due to the global health crisis, productivity has been a major issue for most working from home employees. This is not surprising because remote working is not that easy. Yes, you no longer have to commute every day to go to work. You can finally wake up 30 minutes before work and not be late. You can do a lot more things because your hobbies are just right around the corner. However, for most people, creating a boundary between work and personal life is the biggest challenge. Working parents have to take care of children without nannies or babysitters to help them because of the pandemic. The TV is just right beside you, and social media platforms are easily accessible. And these are only a few of the many reasons why staying productive is so hard. It’s 2021, and working from home isn’t going away sooner. Fortunately, there are still productive employees out there and expert remote workers who are happy to share a few of their productivity hacks. Below are three of them: Design Your Workspace First and foremost, you should establish a workspace to create that boundary or line between being at home and working. Three important things to consider: Work Location Comfort Design When you’re at home, it’s easy to get tempted to work anywhere because that’s the idea, right? You can work on your bed the first hour, the dining area the next hour, outside the patio in the afternoon, etc. Although this might sound fine, it can affect your productivity badly. So, instead of changing work locations, stick to one and make that your working space. This way, you can get your body to recognize that you have something important to do when you’re sitting there. When choosing a location, regardless if it’s a whole room or just a corner of a room, there must be very few distractions .e.g., away from the TV, less traffic, less noise. Once you’ve found a good location, make sure that you’re comfortable there. It’s also wise to invest in a good working table, working chair, and good lighting. Because the more comfortable you are, the more productive you can be. It will also help if you keep everything organized and mess-free. If you’re feeling fancy, you can also work on how your working space would look. Try to put some designs that would inspire you. Probably a desk plant, a small wall frame with your family’s picture, some motivational quotes, or paint the walls of your favorite color. Create A Routine How you go about your day greatly affects your productivity. So, you should establish a routine that you can consistently follow until it becomes a part of your system. The best way to do this is to start your day early. Never wake up 30 minutes before work because that will only stress you out more. Instead, wake up early so you can prepare your mind better. Create a morning routine like doing some exercise or meditation, making yourself some coffee, going out for a walk, etc. Don’t start your day by checking emails or news or even checking out social media. It’s important to just keep your mind relaxed. By the time you get to work, make sure to keep any distractions away. Put your phone away and block social media sites so you won’t get tempted to check them out while working. Time-blocking is also very effective in accomplishing what you need to do, be it for yourself or for work. For example, block 9-11 am as working hours. Then, 11-12 am would be meant for lunch preparation. 12-1 pm is a time for you to rest; you can probably nap or read a book. And the list goes on. It’s up to you. The key to building a routine is consistency. Stick to the routine you’ve made, and you’ll notice that soon, your body will simply automate these actions. Optimize Your Flow State Last but not least, optimize your flow state. Flow state refers to your being “in the zone”. This means you’re too focused on what you’re doing, you can’t be distracted, and you’re just feeling this drive. In other words, you’re performing at your best. Imagine having to be in that flow state every day, right? Surely, there will be so many things that you’ll get to accomplish, even the things that you consider boring. Unfortunately, the flow state doesn’t come every day. There will be days when you don’t want to get up or do anything, and this can be a big problem because you’ll definitely get your task delayed. But, don’t worry, because there are ways you can get yourself in a flow state. First, work on that morning routine because that will set your mood for the day. Meditate, exercise, or go out for long walks - anything that gets your body moving. Second, create a to-do-list and know what to prioritize. And third, identify your peak creative and productive time, and do the challenging tasks around these hours. Now, staying in that constant “flow state” doesn’t happen overnight, even after doing these three things. This is why, as mentioned above, you need to stay consistent, which is also not easy to do. To help you get that right balance, you can take Neuro Gum and Mints to get you to your ideal state of mind. A zone where you are energized, calm, and focused at the same time. No more jitters or slump, just a better version of yourself who is productive and motivated. This 2021, there will be a lot more challenges to come, whether it’s work or personal life. So, you should get ready and condition your mind and body to tackle everyday challenges. Surely, you have more goals to accomplish other than just your work task. But you can achieve that all if you’re always in your zone, and Neuro can help you get there every day. Photo by Corinne Kutz on Unsplash
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The Powerful Ingredient that Offsets Caffeine Jitters
In the modern era, we’re tuned in to the fact that every person’s diet needs to be tuned to their own individual metabolism and body. Just as we find ourselves looking for health combinations, researchers exploring the foods we eat are out for proper blends. An area of research in which we’ve made progress are in the class of drugs, supplements, and other substances known as nootropics. Nootropics are a class of supplements that have been shown to have the ability to improve cognitive function. Such improvements can relate to memory, creativity, motivation, intelligence, and beyond. Inserting combinations of Nootropics can have beneficial relationships. The formulations of ingredients in a nootropic stack can augment not only the ingredients’ effects but also the total cognitive benefits you can expect. Of the several nootropics that expand cognitive function and may balance one another, none are a better knownmatch than L-theanine and caffeine, and for good reason. Before discussing the benefits of caffeine and L-theanine combined, however, let’s look at their finest qualities as individuals. What is Caffeine and L-theanine? Caffeine is a crystalline compound that occurs naturally and can be synthesized in a laboratory. Caffeine is a tonic and the most frequently used drug in the world. Every day, people consume it to up their wakefulness, ease fatigue, and increase concentration and focus. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers caffeine to be both a drug and a food additive. They recommend a maximum intake of 400 mg a day. Coffee is known to have a collection of biologically active compounds and that includes caffeine. Too much of it sometimes, can cause jitters. L-theanine is a non-protein amino acid that supplies the flavor of green tea and black tea. It is also obtainable in supplement form. L-theanine can lessen our physiological stress responses by emulating the actions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter that wedges excitatory responses in the brain. L-theanine can also suppress receptors in the brain that are responsible for excited or anxious physical responses. Most importantly, L-theanine curbs these adrenal responses without making us tired. This makes it a powerful tool for being able to maintain focus and productivity in the face of stress. The perfect nootropic combination. While caffeine is America’s most popular drug, it's more unpleasant side effects can introduce restlessness, anxiety, and increased blood pressure.L-theanine does its best to correct these qualities for everybody to appreciate caffeine’s side effects without losing the ability to be productive. L-theanine has been shown to permit caffeine to boost and sustain energy while curbing side effects that elevate your blood pressure or induce anxiety. The L-theanine and caffeine combination can enhance both speed and accuracy of those individuals performing tasks. It can decrease susceptibility to distracting stimuli in the memory tasks of the brain. These outcomes repeat previous evidence which suggest that L-theanine and caffeine in combination are useful for improving performance on cognitively demanding tasks. It is worth noting that Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor. These momentarily make blood vessels smaller, which elevates your blood pressure to account for reduced blood flow. L-theanine mitigates caffeine’s vasoconstrictive tendencies so you can concentrate on something and not worry on increased blood pressure. L-theanine helps mitigate the negative effects of caffeine to help reduce its adverse effects on your sleep schedule. Conclusion Whether you're into increasing your cognitive performance or just calming your caffeine nerves and jitters, getting a hold of these supplements may help you find a means to dial in your physical and mental performance. Caffeine's stimulatory and L-theanine's calming support can put you in the ideal state of mind, a feeling like you can get anything done. At Neuro, some of our best testimonials have come from high level athletes who find our clean energy formulation to be preferable to overloaded ‘pre-workout’ blends, and few like to consume drinkable forms of caffeine such as coffee or energy drinks before a workout which can damage hydration and metabolism with sweeteners. Many nootropics work better together. With Neuro, our Energy & Focus specially formulated gum and mints consist of natural caffeine, L-theanine and B-vitamins to sustain the mental endurance necessary to maintain your focus. Take some time to understand in what way these nootropics work within the body, seek out proper medical professionals, and reap the benefits of your research. When the stimulating effects of caffeine are matched by the calming support of L-theanine, a productive and rich day is on the way. Never run out of Neuro with a monthly subscription. Members get 10% off and free shipping straight to your door.
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