Recharge Your Mind

Joy here. Welcome. How's your mental energy today? Is your brain feeling focused and clear firing on all cylinders, or is it feeling a little foggy, a little sluggish, like a slow computer? Booting up Today I'm feeling a little anxious, but super excited for the opportunities ahead. But I know our mental energy can change from day to day and even moment to moment. And I try to be kind to my mental energy as it shifts, especially if I find myself in a moment of brain fog. Brain fog is defined by psychologists as the inability to think clearly. We might have trouble forming our thoughts or expressing ourselves properly. Basically, it's exactly what it sounds like. Your brain feels foggy. It's easy to be hard on ourselves. When we have brain fog, we might not feel as productive as we want to be, but brain fog is actually our bodies trying to protect us from stress. When our brains register that we're exhausted or anxious, they try to conserve as much energy as they can, so it might be a little less sharp so that it can save us some energy for later. When you are feeling brain fog, there are small steps you can take to help. Its subside. Getting outside or any physical activity can help or seeing an expert if it's especially persistent and intense. And meditation is a tool that can help too, which is what we are going to practice together today. Find a comfortable position and gently close your eyes if you can, and begin to breathe in and out on each inhale. Imagine sending your breath into your body oxygen, circulating, nourishing. On each exhale, see your breath clearing out what doesn't serve you. Clearing stress, releasing tension. If you want. Allow your exhales to become audible with a sigh or a hum. Draw attention to the whoosh of air leaving your body and let the waves of sound center you. I'll give you some time to breathe deeply on your own. When we intentionally tune into the present moment, it can help us release some stress that might be draining us, and we can get present using all of our senses. So take a moment to register what the air smells like. Notice any sense wafting around you, and think about how you describe them. Now, if it's available to you, notice the texture of something you can touch, perhaps the texture of your clothes or your fingers touching on another or the cool air of a breeze. Notice what you are feeling in this moment now, if you can shift your attention to the sounds around you. What are you hearing beyond my voice? What sounds are in the distance or close by now, bring your focus to your mouth. Are there any tastes that you notice? Any lingering coffee or sweetness? Tune in to your sense of taste. Finally, softly open your eyes and let them land...