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Tag: stress management

“Squirrel!” The Distraction of Multitasking

“Squirrel!” The Distraction of Multitasking

Did you see the cartoon feature film, “Up!”? The dogs in it are able to talk as a result of a special collar Squirrel!that translates their thoughts into words. But the dogs get distracted very easily, especially by squirrels. Every time they think they see one, they say, “Squirrel!” and stop what they’re doing to verify whether one is present or not.

For us, multitasking is something similar. We think that it’s efficient, and we get more done, but really, it’s just satisfying our longing for something new. Our brains get a jolt of pleasure when we are able to switch from what we were doing to check email, read a text or answer a call.

We’re sidetracked from what our original task, and we leave it for a while. After we’ve dealt with the distraction, we return to the task. But it takes precious time and energy to get refocused. Efficiency, creativity, productivity and performance all suffer. Also, it’s exhausting and we can’t think as clearly when multitask.

So the next time you’re tempted to check your email when you’re in the middle of a project, remind yourself that it’s a “squirrel,” and stay focused. Your brain will thank you.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Are We Losing Our Ability to Concentrate?

Are We Losing Our Ability to Concentrate?

According to Daniel Goleman’s book, Concentrating on Chess GameFocus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence, due to our obsession with multitasking, the internet, social media and cell phones, we’re losing our ability to concentrate. When we constantly check our email, read tweets, or play an online game, we get a jolt of adrenaline. It feels good every time we do and it lights up our brain’s reward circuits. We can’t stay focused on one thing too long or we get itchy for another rush. But it also undermines the ability to focus for any length of time.

Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence also says that the good news is that within a short time of slowing down and not jumping from one thing to another, we regain the ability to pay attention. Our focus and concentration improves within a couple of weeks. When we run from one activity to another, we train ourselves to do more of it. We’re training ourselves to be ADD. But the same is true when we let go of the obsessive need for stimulation. As we break the addiction, we train our minds to focus for longer periods of time.

To accomplish more, reduce stress, and be calmer, we need to reduce the number of times we check our email or cell phone. Within a couple of weeks, notice the difference. We’ll get more done, be healthier, feel better and be able to focus on a chess game or reading a book.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

The Release Meditation by Brendon Burchard

The Release Meditation by Brendon Burchard

By Brendon Burchard

Do you meditate? It’s one of the reasons I feel so energized, present, and centered – so fully charged.

You probably already know that meditation helps people lower their stress levels and reach higher states of clarity and consciousness.

The science is conclusive, too, that meditation is a powerful performance enhancement tool. I don’t know many high-level achievers who do not meditate. Oprah, Ellen, Seinfeld, Russell Simmons, Arianna Huffington… yup, all meditators.

Here’s how I meditate. It’s sort of a mashup that I’ve created and fallen in love with.



Brendon Burchard is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, personal development trainer, thought leader in human motivation and business marketing. Visit http://brendonburchard.com/ for his free eBook and video series on the secrets to changing your life and reaching high performance in all you do.

Unwind, Relax and De-Stress

Unwind, Relax and De-Stress

Stress is a part of life, but unfortunately, it can become chronic and become distress. When it does, you need to have some strategies in place to deal with the stress. One of the best ways to lower your stress level is to take a few minutes to do some relaxation. Experience a short relaxation exercise that can teach you how to unwind and lower your stress level.



~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Book Review – Tapestry of Healing

Book Review – Tapestry of Healing

tapestryofhealing“Tapestry of Healing: Where Reiki and Medicine Intertwine”
by Jeri Mills, M.D.

This is a wonderful exploration of a physician’s discovery of Reiki. It’s her personal story of her life and how she began using this ancient healing technique in her practice. She’s not only a physician, but a veterinarian, and used Reiki on her human patients and animals.

She describes her journey as she learns this healing art and then what happens as she begins to share it with her patients and colleagues. Some were more open to it than others.

The last half of the book is all about energy medicine, Reiki and how to use it. She explains some of the pitfalls and when you should let things be. This aligns with my own experience as a hypnotherapist. You can’t heal everyone.

For the Reiki practitioner, there are a lot of tips about how to use the energy from her own experiences. And for those who aren’t practitioners, she explains what energy healing is and how it’s used.

This book is for the person new to the idea of Reiki, as well as for practitioners of the ancient art. It contains valuable insights to guide any healer. It was a joy to read and I value its addition to my library.

Make Self-Care A Habit

Make Self-Care A Habit

Your life is run by habits. One of the habits that is essential, but that is ignored too often, is the one of self-care. It recharges your batteries and helps you deal with the challenges you face. Learn how important self-care is and how you can include it in your life.




~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Lengthen Your Life By Healing Your Chromosomes

Lengthen Your Life By Healing Your Chromosomes

More and more studies are showing that meditation and mindfulness may actually increase your longevity. They’ve found that meditation can increase the length of your telomeres. These are like shoelace caps at the end of your chromosomes and protect them. As you age, the telomeres shorten. They’re considered to be a clock, showing the age of your chromosomes.

Many studies show a correlation between shorter telomeres and chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, dementia, and others. Stress can cause your telomeres to shorten quickly.

The good news is that telomeres can lengthen as well as shorten. Reducing stress, exercise, eating healthy, and meditation can increase their length. A recent study showed that loving-kindness mindfulness meditation could alter the length of telomeres.

You have control of your longevity and your health. By taking actions that are healthy for you, you can improve your quality of life.

Inspired by this study: Loving-kindess practice may improve longevity.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

How To Slow A Racing Mind – Mindful Walking

How To Slow A Racing Mind – Mindful Walking

By Charles A. Francis

Practicing mindful walking is also very easy. Most of us do a great deal of walking through our daily activities: at home, work, school, or when tending to our family’s needs. These are all wonderful opportunities to practice mindfulness, instead of allowing ourselves to get lost in our thoughts, many of which are either worrying or simply rehashing the same thoughts repeatedly.

When doing mindful walking, we generally walk more slowly than usual. Make your walking a smooth and continuous movement, while being mindful of each step. This can have a tremendous calming effect because it forces your mind to slow down.

As with mindful breathing, simply pay attention to your walking. With each mindful step, observe the sensation on your feet, the contraction of the muscles in your legs, or even the sensations of your clothes against your skin. Not only will this calm your mind, but it will also help you return to the present moment.

One of the best opportunities to practice mindful walking is to and from our vehicles. This is usually a time when we let our minds drift, or we get on our cell phones. Instead, why not use that time to practice mindful walking? You can even do a walking meditation session for a few minutes in a park or another quiet place.

Copyright 2013 Charles A. Francis
All Rights Reserved

Charles A. Francis is the founder and director of the Mindfulness Meditation Institute. The Institute is dedicated to providing people with the tools they need to realize their full potential as human and spiritual beings through the practice of mindfulness meditation.

How To Slow A Racing Mind – The Calming Power of Mindful Breathing

How To Slow A Racing Mind – The Calming Power of Mindful Breathing

By Charles A. Francis

Mindful breathing is a simple tool for keeping your mind from racing out of control. Practicing mindful breathing is very easy and doesn’t take long, and it will interrupt the acceleration of your mind. This will enable you to think with greater clarity, since you’ll have less mental agitation.

All you have to do is stop occasionally and take three to five mindful breaths. You don’t have to strain to concentrate on your breathing, but rather just pay attention to it.

Mindful breathing also has other benefits. It reminds us of what we’re trying to accomplish through our meditation practice, and it brings us back to the present moment, which is where reality is always taking place. You may want to post a reminder note somewhere you’ll see it throughout the day because it’s easy to forget.

Copyright 2013 Charles A. Francis
All Rights Reserved

Charles A. Francis has studied the practice of mindfulness with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, and teaches mindfulness meditation through clear and simple instructions. He has over 17 years of experience helping people find true happiness and inner peace with the practice. Find out more about Charles and the Mindfulness Meditation Institute.