How to reset your mind returning to work

Leading holistic health expert Michelle Boyd shares a few simple ways to reset your mind as you return to the office.

Michelle, how can we best nurture our mental wellbeing during periods of busyness and stress?

Operating in a constant state of stress and anxiety can create a big mental toll and really impact your cognitive abilities. If you work or are frequently in a busy and high-stress environment, it’s important you still find the time to take care of your body. You can do this by exercising, eating healthily and getting enough sleep. Make sure you take time to check in with yourself throughout the day by practising controlled breathing and, if you can, take breaks from stressful tasks to give your brain some time to relax.

How can we avoid burnout when juggling careers and the return of “normal” everyday life?

Returning to the office and “normal” life after significant periods of lockdowns and changing of routines might impact you more than you realise. A great way to avoid burnout here is to slowly ease yourself back into new routines and don’t try to tackle everything at once. Go into the office for a few days first before you commit to full-time. If your kids are back at school, help them ease back into routines by practising an earlier bedtime. Build one habit after the other slowly until you find yourself more comfortable with the new routine once again.

Can you share any helpful tools to reset your mind?

Resetting your mind gives your brain an opportunity to calmly adjust to a new routine and be at its healthiest before you tackle something that might create stress, such as returning to the office or sending your kids back to school. A great way to reset your mind is by performing mindfulness practices such as meditation, listening to calming music, writing things down and taking some quiet time alone. If you’re someone prone to mild anxiety, try taking a break from social media or work outside office hours as this can significantly reduce stress.

What are your top tips for boosting productivity and positivity?

Positivity and productivity go together. You will always set yourself up for success when you prioritise the good things that are happening and keep hopeful about the future. Although good habits and mind-reset practices are a great tool when it comes to strengthening your productivity, some other alternatives include naturally derived complementary therapies that are designed to help you boost your mood, strengthen memory retention and focus. For adults, you can try Flordis KeenMind, which is clinically researched to support memory, concentration and learning function. If you need a positivity boost, try Flordis Remotiv which supports healthy mood and emotional balance as well as relieve stress.