Give Your Brain a Rest

This is not to suggest that you shut down your brain completely and wander aimlessly for a bit. Rather it is a call to unplug occasionally to allow your brain to relax and exhale just like resting your body after exercise.  

       With all the craziness in the news, especially in the political realm, it’s easy to feel overloaded, confused and down-right dejected. Between one party using fear to garner support and votes, while ensuring nothing gets done to address our real issues, and the other party seemingly so incompetent it can’t capitalize on this decades-old playbook while also not getting anything meaningful done, it can drive one to despair. Fear not, this is not a political piece. Since we are in an election year and being pummeled with misinformation from all sides it’s likely this topic will be the most prevalent – and toxic – for the foreseeable future though.

       Getting ready for our trip to the Keys, I am looking forward to powering down for 10 days. Limited newspaper reading, no watching the news (left, right, or center), and very limited computer time. Yeah, I’m retired, but that doesn’t mean my brain isn’t active, and not always in good ways. By stepping away temporarily, and focusing on the warm weather, the feel of sand under my feet, the breeze off the water, and of course lying in “my” hammock, my brain gets a much-needed rest from the bombardment of the psycho-babble running rampant in all media.

       Besides the mental break from that, it gives me more time to ride a bike through the neighborhoods around the place we stay, to just exhale and enjoy the property, being with my wife and our friends – and to make new friends there. For me, riding a bicycle, no matter where, provides a mental as well as physical lift. While riding, my brain can wander as I pedal – provided it keeps at least one eye on my surroundings – and I relax, feeling refreshed after. And a cold beer after a good ride is a fine reward.

       In this crazy time when attention spans are measured in seconds, news has become opinion or spin, and we are becoming more and more divided, it’s vital to give your brain a rest from the cacophony. A little rest will re-energize that most important muscle, reduce stress, and help you think and feel better. So put down your phone for a while, step away from your computer, turn off the TV “news”, and let your brain exhale. It may be difficult to break those habits at first, but by starting small and gradually extending your unplugged period, you’ll soon wonder why you were so attached to them.

      I wrote the above prior to our trip and I am happy to report that I followed my own advice and enjoyed a very relaxing 10 days. Only 3 short computer sessions, very limited phone time, and no TV news. It felt so good that I am going to try to continue that and not slip back into the abyss of electronic dependence.

      To close, I’ll quote many mothers, “Turn that thing off and go out and play!”.

www.RetiredandInspiredat55.com  3-04-2024