How to wake up the brain when you're feeling sleepy but need to work
Keeping the brain active through physical exercises stimulates blood flow, enhances neuron connectivity, and boosts cognitive function (clear thinking!). It shifts mental sluggishness and also promotes long term brain health and reduces the risk of cognitive decline, improving overall wellbeing.
So far so good.
But it’s not always possible to live and work according to your energy levels, so when you’ve got a meeting or you need to work but all you want to do is curl up on the sofa under a blanket, use one of my favourite 3 Instant Brain Workouts to switch your state from sleepy to sharp.
I learned them from Jim Kwick during a Tony Robbins training. They make such a huge difference to how you feel, I really recommend you try at least one. I use the last one a lot! It’s so easy and takes literally 2 minutes to feel like a different person.
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Stand up and hold up both of your arms out like a cactus. Like you’re being arrested 😉 Make sure your hands line up with your body rather than being in front of your body.
Now lift up your left knee and tap it with your right elbow.
Now do the same with the right knee and left elbow.
Continue this motion with alternate sides for 1 minute.
This will wake you up and activate both sides of the brain.
👂
Stand up and take your left earlobe with your right hand, and your right earlobe with your left hand.
Now massage both earlobes.
Keep the massage going while doing a slow squat while inhaling.
Now stand up while you exhale. All the while massaging your earlobes with opposite hands.
Repeat this 5-10 times, depending on how tired you feel.
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Stand up and take the position as if you are about to start a running race. Left foot in front of the right foot. There’s no need to touch the floor like sprinters do, this is more of a standing stance.
Now keeping your feet still move your arms as if you’re running really fast.
Continue this for 1 minute.
Now switch your feet so your right foot is forward.
Repeat the running motion with your arms as fast as you can for another minute.
Why They Work
If you’re interested in why these work, here’s the Science bit….
Enhanced Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Production
Physical activities stimulate the production of BDNF, a protein that supports the survival of existing neurons and encourages the growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses. Increased BDNF levels can help improve cognitive functions, mood, and overall brain health.
Increased Blood Circulation to the Brain
Moving your body increases your heart rate, which helps pump more oxygen rich blood to the brain. This improves alertness and cognitive function, as the brain requires a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to operate efficiently.
Bilateral Coordination Stimulation
Exercises that involve cross body coordination (like the first exercise) engage and stimulate both hemispheres of the brain. This enhances neural connectivity and improves functions like motor control, spatial awareness, and cognitive flexibility.
Activation of Sensorimotor Systems
Massaging the earlobes while squatting involves both sensory input and motor activity, which stimulates the neural pathways involved in coordinating these functions. Engaging multiple senses and motor actions at once can help increase mental clarity and focus.
Release of Endorphins
Physical activity triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, which improve mood and create a feeling of wellbeing. This shifts feelings of fatigue and lethargy, making you feel more energised and alert.
Remember, sitting is the new smoking 🚬
📧 If you try this I’d LOVE to know how you found them. Drop me a line here.
HOW TO STOP WORRYING
Start small. Use my simple guide to stop worrying.
I created this in the middle of the night when my mind would NOT stop worrying!
And I’ve been using it ever since…
Written by Kate Greenslade.
Click here to find out more about working with Kate as your personal mindfulness coach for more joy, contentment and presence.