As we slowly find our way back to normality this spring and, as we start to recover from the global pandemic that took over our lives last year, many of us are beginning to feel overwhelmed as our schedule is slowly filling up and we find ourselves busy again. What used to feel like a quiet week pre-lockdown now feels too hectic and stressful. Without even realising it, many of us have let lockdown become a comfort zone for our minds which makes the idea of everything returning to normal feel daunting.
Are you able to find mental space for calm? Or is that a distant memory buried in the stress of suddenly being busy, calendars filling up, and having to face the life that had to be put on hold for a year? In this blog we will touch on ways to relax your brain in these strange times and how to overcome Busy Brain Syndrome.
Busy Brain Syndrome (BBS)
The easiest way to think of BBS is like you are reducing bandwidth in your brain because you are too distracted. It’s as if you have too many plates spinning at once, and you can’t figure out which plates are most important. BBS can be very draining and it can keep you from being able to focus and being fully present in the moment. BBS is a sensory overload, so it doesn’t matter how intelligent you are; everyone can feel stretched too thin. If you’re too distracted, you’ll miss things that could be staring you in the face and opportunities could pass you by.
Here are some common symptoms to look out for:
- Increased irritability
- Difficulty paying attention
- Easily distracted
- Difficulty switching off
- Loss of accuracy/detail
- Increased risk taking
- Poor decision making
- Poor sleep
- Black and white thinking
Most of us are guilty of seeking constant stimulation to avoid getting bored, but this only makes it harder for us to relax when we are given the opportunity.
So, when your mind is in overdrive, how do you turn It off?
It’s not easy to switch off, and treading the line between keeping busy to avoid boredom and having this busyness overwhelm you is easier said than done. That said, it isn’t impossible. So, if BBS is threatening to overtake your post-lockdown life, here are 5 ways to relax your busy mind.
1. Meditation
Meditation can be helpful to anyone who lives in their own head because it encourages you to sit still and be present without getting overly caught up in your thoughts. If you’re experiencing BBS and have sought advice then this probably won’t be the first-time that mediation has been suggested to you. Meditation can seem intimidating, but it is well known to have helped people find their inner peace so don’t turn your back on it!
Finding the right space to mediate can be difficult – both physically and mentally. It can be a real struggle to ignore noises, but by practising meditation we can learn to not let them impose. Dogs barking outside? Let them! The key to meditation is realising that the quiet you are looking for is inside, not outside. If you’re able to internalise this belief, you’ll find meditating anywhere gets easier and easier.
Really struggling to focus? Why not try a guided body scan meditation which will shift all the focus to your body, rather than your mind. This involves another person (either there with you in the room or there digitally via podcast or a Youtube video) guiding you and helping you feel present in your physical body. All you need is somewhere to sit, stand or lie, and something to listen to your guide through. This form of meditation can help you feel more grounded and balanced.
2. Talk to someone
As simple as this advice is, it can also be very effective, nothing good ever comes from keeping thoughts locked away in your own mind. If you have something on your mind that keeps playing over and over, let it out! The person you speak to could have a fresh perspective or helpful suggestions; as the saying goes a problem shared is a problem halved.
Not sure who to talk to? Then talk to yourself out loud. If you find it helpful, you could even try banishing troublesome thoughts by writing them down on a piece of paper to help get a handle on things.
Sometimes just accepting your thoughts and speaking them out loud can help your brain move past things. Rule your mind or it will rule you.
3. Have a Digital Detox Day
An over reliance on technology is one of the biggest causes of BBS. This is hardly surprising; research has proven that over 80% of adults will check their phones within the first 15 minutes of waking up. With our phones constantly buzzing for attention, it’s easy to feel the need to check every alert from our phones due to the fear of missing something important. Ignoring these alerts can make people feel anxious.
According to extensive research, over-exposure to the internet can cause:
- Memory loss
- Addictive behaviours
- trigger jealousy and loneliness
- lack of empathy
- chronic insomnia
- distracts from deep thinking
The unthinkably huge amount of information that the internet has to offer can just be too much for our minds. Those who have taken ‘digital detox days’ have said the results have been ‘life changing’ and have said to have experienced ‘break-through ideas’ that they had previously been stuck looking for.
Try taking a day away from screens. Make your contacts aware if it makes you feel better . Ideally get a friend or family member to detox with you. A day of calm with no internet commitments could provide you with clarity around what in your life is really important, and it can elevate your resilience and contentment.
4. Go for a walk
It’s not news that exercise is good for your body, but exercise is just as important for your mind. A walk is said to hold the secrets to getting over a mental obstacle. This theory comes from the effects of walking on the body – walking increases the blood flow to your brain. Even walking for 10 minutes a day can boost energy levels, concentration and creativity.
5. Take CBD regularly
Adding CBD into your daily routine could be one of the best ways for you to relax your brain. Humans have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is a nerve signalling system in our bodies. We naturally produce molecules through the ECS called endocannabinoids which help us feel good, stay balanced, and find peace. The ECS is a highly complex nerve cell signalling system that modulates the central nervous system and helps us maintain homeostasis by regulating some of our body’s key functions such as sleep, mood, stress and even appetite.
When you’re not in homeostasis, you may experience things like restlessness, irritability and unnecessary stress, all of which make your mind very busy! Through influencing the endocannabinoid system, CBD can help the ECS deal with a busy brain and has been known to potentially improve memory.
Your strongest muscle and your worst enemy is your mind – train it well! To help, Voyager has a wide range of CBD products that you can add to your daily routine! To add CBD to your daily life in a way that is pleasant and convenient, why not try something from our oils and gummies range?
Not keen on oral consumption? We also have a fantastic range of topical products. One tip that we didn’t mention but could still really benefit a busy brain is a hot bath. At Voyager, we’ve made hot baths even better with our divine CBD bath blocks and soaps. Adding CBD to your bath could make it extra special – find out why on our blog on CBD baths.
If you’re thinking that CBD could help your busy brain but are nervous about trying something new then we can help you there too. For beginners tips, we have a blog post with a few really easy things to remember that will simplify CBD.
If you’re still not sure after that, the Voyager team are always here to help you feel safe and secure. Get in touch with us via phone, email, or on social media.
The key to a healthy life is a healthy mind, choose you.
