Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Clearing a Scatter Brain + The Best Day Planner App
Good morning and happy Wednesday 
Isn’t this purple sweet potato a beauty? I had it yesterday with my second lunch. It tastes like a Japanese sweet potato, which is my absolute favorite kind.
This whole week I’ve felt like such a scatter brain. Not the type where you keep forgetting things or losing place, but the kind where your brain is literally in a million places at once. I just haven’t felt like I’ve been able to focus! I don’t have much of a schedule right now, and it messes with my brain.
This is where yoga comes in handy for me. I’ve focused on more restorative practices this week so far, and it’s helping somewhat. Then last night I was reading Shane’s Men’s Health magazine, and came across some of their tips to think more clearly.
1. Revive your sprit – have something close by that reminds you of happiness that you can look at throughout the day
2. Hit reboot – make a list of your priorities and commitments in your life, then write out how you’re feeling about each of them. Any of them you’re not feeling great about, shift them to the top to work on them.
3. Nap on the job – If you didn’t sleep well the night before, a 15-30 minute power nap can refresh your energy levels!
4. Breathe deeply – inhale for 5 counts through the nose, hold at the top, and then exhale for 5 counts through the nose, hold at the bottom – for a clearer and calmer mind.
5. Make more friends – Humans are meant for group interaction. Hang out with your friends to blow off some steam – or meet some new friends by joining a meet up group, a new fitness class, or a book club.
6. Don’t grow old – this one confused me at first, but kind of makes sense! The article said to pick an age where you felt your best, and focus on how you felt them to apply to your life today. Sure, why not?
I need to apply these to my life today.
In addition to the Men’s Health tips (I especially love the friends one – blowing off steam with friends is so helpful!) – here are some of my tips on what to do when your brain feels like a scrambled egg:
- I mentioned it before, but yoga yoga yoga! Sometimes just moving around on a mat thinking about NOTHING can help me think a lot more clearly throughout the rest of my day.
- Making a list. Ahhh, Informant Pro, how you’ve made my life easier. To me, Informant Pro is the best calendar/scheduler/day planner ever. It has a great view for the calendar (monthly, weekly, daily, today,) allows you to make lists and assign them, and syncs up with Google calendar. I take my iPad mini with me everywhere!
- Accomplish something – anything! Sometimes just getting something done and moving on to the next thing can help me set the motion of “doing,” rather than sitting around thinking of what might need to be done.
And with that, I’m off to tackle my list for the day 
I don’t have to teach until way later today, so I’m using the daylight hours to get some lingering errands out of the way.
What do you do when you need to clear your head?
I too have been very scattered lately. FInally made some headway yesterday. Great tips!
I have seen purple potatoes, but not sweet potatoes…I want.
I used to be a crazy planner and then I just felt overwhelmed with all the planning after 30 years. Now I’m working on getting back in to a grove 🙂
Amanda @runtothefinish recently posted…Failing UP
Go for a run, have a bath and make lists 🙂
Lindsey recently posted…Cleaning Up
“Don’t grow old” is such a funny/cool idea. When I’m working at home, I like to light a few candles too. They calm me down, help me focus and make my whole apt smell amazing 🙂
Lindsay recently posted…what the h wednesday #5: early riser.
That sweet potato sounds interesting!
claire @ live and love to eat recently posted…NYC Eats
Your blog is wonderful! Thanks for the awesome tips!
<3 Thank you, Courtney!
Oh my how pretty is that sweet potato?!? I understand 100% on needing to clear my brain, getting up & taking a short walk always helps me. And if I have time, YOGA for sure. Have a great day lady!
Katie @ KatieEnPursuit recently posted…WIAW…A Little Goes a Long Way
I would really like to take advantage of that nap idea today. Great tips, I definitely am in need of them lately!
Kacy recently posted…Comment on Serenity by Parita @ myinnershakti
I’ve just redicovered morning workouts before work to clear my brain! Honestly, it’s been a while since I have been consistently running, etc., before work and I am amazed at how clear my mind is and how good I feel the rest of the day! It’s definitely a work in progress, but I’m feeling so much more motivated again!
Talking to my husband clears my head too. I can get caught up in whatever ‘crisis’ I’m in and once I let it all out with him Ihave a much better outlook about the situation.
And restorative yoga. Sigh… I could lay on that bolster all. day. long. 😉
Christa @ Edible Balance recently posted…You can’t win them all…
I am the worlds biggest scatterbrain! Totally needed this tips today!
Danielle (@CleanFoodCreativeFitness) recently posted…Paleo Strawberry Meringues with Fresh Berries
Definitely going to check out that app! I’ve been looking for the perfect organizer app but haven’t had much luck. This one looks great!
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake recently posted…Product Review: Donut Shop Sweet & Creamy Brew over Ice K-Cups
That last MH tip is interesting..I never would have thought of that! Might be worth a shot.
I love going for a quick walk when I’m feeling scatterbrained. Moving around a the change in scenery seems to help me re-focus!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…WIAW: Eating in Real Life.
A few things I do to clear my head: go for a walk, talk to my husband (he always seems to have a calming effect on me – haha), pray, and/or make a list!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…WIAW #80: What I’ve Been Eating Lately
I am a firm believer in power naps, I totally wish I could nap on the job sometimes! It would be totally awkward to do in my office though, if you’re sitting at your desk then that typically means you’re considered to be working. Maybe a power nap in my car is the way to go!
Meghan @ After the Ivy League recently posted…Back from Virginia Beach!
Love these! I’ve been needing to clear my head a lot lately! I’ve been taking a walk, or just unplugging and closing my eyes for a minute or two.
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted…Getting Fit For Summer
I don’t ever think I’ve had a purple sweet. How do they taste different? Purple mashed sweets would be a cool side dish!
Steph recently posted…Sweet potato black bean chili
I wish I could use a better calendar app, but since my work calendar is the most important…and it’s in Lotus Notes…my options are limited. 🙂
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted…How Learning to Fence Makes You a Better Leader