Centre Yourself
The Power of Relaxation: Centre Yourself for Focus and Clarity
In our fast-paced world, the ability to concentrate is often compromised by stress and distractions. Whether you’re preparing for an important meeting, studying for an exam, or simply engaging in a conversation, centring yourself can enhance your focus and improve your overall performance.
One effective way to achieve this is through simple relaxation techniques that allow you to enter a state of learning. In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of relaxation, how to centre yourself, and one specific technique.
Why Relaxation Matters
Before diving into tasks that require concentration, taking a moment to relax is crucial. When we are stressed, our minds tend to race, leading to scattered thoughts and reduced efficiency. Relaxation helps to calm the nervous system, making it easier to focus on the task at hand. By centring yourself, you create a mental environment conducive to learning and productivity. This not only enhances your cognitive function but also improves your emotional well-being.
Centring Yourself: The Wall Gazing Technique
One of the simplest yet effective methods to centre yourself is through wall gazing. Here’s how to do it:
1. Find a Comfortable Position:
Sit or stand in a relaxed posture, ensuring that your body feels supported.
2. Choose Your Spot:
Look at a blank wall or a point slightly above eye level. This helps reduce visual distractions. If you’re sitting at your computer, lift your gaze just above the monitor.
3. Gaze Softly:
Allow your gaze to soften. Don’t focus intently; rather, let your eyes rest on the wall while maintaining a relaxed state.
4. Awareness of Peripheral Vision:
As you gaze, start to expand your awareness. Notice the edges of your peripheral vision—the movement, colours, and shapes. You should be able to see beside, above and below your eyeline. This practice helps to ground you and increases your state of awareness without the pressure of focused thinking.
5. Breathe Deeply:
Inhale deeply through your nose, filling your lungs, and exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat this for a few breaths, feeling your body relax with each exhale.
By doing this for just a couple of minutes, you can shift your mental state, making it easier to concentrate on upcoming tasks.
Returning to Centre During Conversations and Work
Once you've centred yourself, it’s essential to maintain that calmness, especially during conversations or work. Here’s how you can return to this state:
1. Pause for a Moment:
If you feel tension rising during a conversation or work task, take a brief pause. It’s okay to excuse yourself for a moment to collect your thoughts.
2. Use Your Peripheral Awareness:
Recall the wall gazing technique. Take a second to soften your gaze and become aware of your surroundings. Notice what’s happening in your peripheral vision, which helps to ground you.
3. Deep Breathing:
Engage in a few deep breaths to lower stress levels. Inhale for a count of four, hold for a count of four, and exhale for a count of six.
4. Reconnect with the Present:
Remind yourself of the conversation’s purpose or the task’s goals. This focus will help you stay engaged while maintaining your centred state.
Conclusion
The importance of relaxation and centring oneself cannot be overstated. In moments of deep concentration, stress or distraction, take the time to engage in techniques like wall gazing and deep breathing, so you’ll cultivate a state of calm that enhances your ability to learn, communicate, and work effectively. Remember, a centred mind is a focused mind, and prioritizing your mental well-being can lead to greater success in every area of your life.
I have found concentration techniques like this invaluable. They helped me through university especially when I was suffering from information overload and deadlines. I invite you to give this a try.
Hello, I'm
Gail Farrow...
Semi-retired Medical Herbalist with a passion for supporting positive habit change.
After over twenty years of helping people improve their health using herbs, I observed that clients who made even small, poisitve changes to their daily habits, often had the best outcomes in improving or maintaining their health and well-being.
The aim of this website is to raise awareness of how even the smallest of habit changes can make a difference to our daily lives and invite you to commit to just one small improvement and see where it takes you.
If you are unhappy with your lot, nothing will change unless you take action and make things happen!
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