When You Relax Things Float To The Surface Of Your Mind

My wife meditates regularly, and I do not. I have mediated occasionally, and I like it. I think it has many positive effects, not the least of which is just plain relaxing. For whatever reason I just haven't stuck with it. (See: Things that don't surprise people that know me!) No question though, relaxing helps you think.

How many time has this happened? You are trying with all your might to remember someone's name. Thinking hard, completely racking your brain to no avail. Until you stop trying. Then out of nowhere the answer pops into your head. Once you relaxed, your thinking improved.

Some kids (and adults) have test-taking anxiety and perform poorly on exams. They know and understand the material, but get pretty wound up inside about the testing itself, and clear answers elude them at the time they are needed.

How often has a solution to a problem hidden itself from you all day, only to pop perfectly into your head, waking you up in the middle of the night? (Note: Get up immediately and write the solution down. You won't remember it in the morning.)

When you relax, things float to the surface of your mind.

In the crazy, hectic, get-it-done-yesterday world that we live in, it's important to plan a little serenity into every one of your days. Put it on your calendar, and protect it like crazy. Stop and do a little deep breathing every hour. It can do wonders too. Without some built-in time to relax, you just can't think as effectively.

Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you. ~John De Paola