WITH TODAY’S OVERWHELMING OFFICE OF DINGS, PINGS AND BUZZES, IT’S EASY TO FEEL OVER-STIMULATED.

BUT STIMULATION IS GETTING A BAD REPUTATION, DISEMPOWERING ITS ABILITY TO HELP US BALANCE OUR DAY.

When we are on a diet, we look at food as the enemy. But food can equally be the solution as much as a problem in managing our physical health.

Similarly, stimulus is the problem and the solution.

POSITIVE PHYSICAL STIMULUS KEEPS ENERGY FLOWING

Inspiration brings us positive energy and stimulus, which are necessary to keep us fueled and keep our energy flowing so we don’t get stuck in overwhelm and stagnation. When we work out, ride a bike, play soccer, walk around a lake, and dance, we experience a flood of positive physical stimulus. Endorphins are flowing, our heart is flushing blood and fresh oxygen throughout our body, and tense or stagnant energy is being challenged and released.

Positive stimulus is an important part of physical and mental health, and therefore essential to using inspiration to experience true happiness.

We can control our sense of overwhelm with time management (and “ping-ding” management) with some simple best practices. Take ownership of your relationship with your phone. Take ownership of the pace you need vs. want for your business. Explore how it feels to give yourself a mobile-vacation (even one hour could greatly increase your focus). Get off social media and actually be social when you’re with someone.

MENTAL STIMULUS: TAKING A BRAIN BREAK VS. A REFUELING, INSPIRING BREAK

Taking an energy-avoidance break is not recharging. Our souls are not quenched by distractions or an escape from life’s trials. We want to enjoy connecting and fully experience the connected moments that make us feel alive. We have to recharge and refuel to experience true happiness.

Brain breaks are important, but breaks are not enough to live the inspired life. Breaks are not refueling or recharging. Breaks do not connect us with our true selves.

When we read a book, write, scrapbook, try a new recipe, our brains are still hard at work, but it feels enjoyable.

But what if we take more breaks? Do they compound to recharge us eventually? No. Breaks spent participating in energy-avoidance activities do not compound to become recharging because they don’t replace or create positive energy. If we store stress, negative energy, or too much stimulus that is not in connection to our true selves, negative energy doesn’t truly dissipate by taking a break. We have to move that energy. We have to replace that energy.

Since inspiration elicits positive energy through an experience or activity, inspiration is a powerful recharger. Participating in inspiring activities infuses positive energy, cleansing out any stagnation in its path and replacing dormant negative energy instead of just avoiding it.

Read more about Why Taking a Break Doesn’t Help You Be Happy