1. Make to-do lists<\/strong><\/p>\n Are you a list maker? Lists can help us feel more organised and productive. Having all our tasks written down on paper means we feel less overwhelmed and can focus on them one at a time. The benefits of list making can actually be backed up by research [1]. In our brains we have a set of processes called executive functions. These processes help us to see what we need to do to achieve a goal. The problem is that they can only process a few goals at a time. Whereas I\u2019m sure many of us have lots of things we need to do, it\u2019s easy to see how we can become distracted. This is where list- making comes in – it can help to clear our minds and focus on individual tasks.<\/p>\n One tip is to write down everything you need to do and then place them in order of importance.<\/p>\n 2. Have a social media clear out<\/strong><\/p>\n Social media is largely focused on how many people we\u2019re connected to. \u00a0But how many of these people do we actually know and are they even posting things we want to see? We spend a lot of time on social media so it\u2019s worth focusing that time on people we value. Clearing up our news feed can also be beneficial for our emotional wellbeing. Especially if we find ourselves becoming too involved in what\u2019s being posted.<\/p>\n Having a clear out can extend further than our friends list too. Many of us also use social media to keep up with the news or follow celebrities. It might be worth also filtering through these pages too and only keeping the ones you\u2019re really interested in.<\/p>\n 3. Write down your thoughts or worries<\/strong><\/p>\n Writing down thoughts and emotions can make them easier to process. Research has discovered that when we write down our feelings this reduces the amount of activity in a part of the brain called the amygdala [2].\u00a0 The amygdala is responsible for processing emotions. If there\u2019s less activity in the amygdala, this means that we\u2019re less likely to feel distressed by certain thoughts or feelings. You might find it beneficial to write things down before you go to bed if you\u2019re finding it hard to switch off.<\/p>\n 4. Remove cravings<\/strong><\/p>\n How many of us still have sugary snacks in the cupboard that haven\u2019t been touched since going low carb? I\u2019m sure I still have a packet of biscuits hiding somewhere. Now might be a good time to clear out the cupboards and remove those cravings. Even if you have excellent willpower sometimes all it can take is a stressful day to leave us reaching for that chocolate we haven\u2019t seen in three months.<\/p>\n 5. Break a bad habit<\/strong><\/p>\n Some of us bite our nails, some might smoke, some find themselves procrastinating at work. Having a bad habit can affect our health and stop us from being productive. Bad habits are generally caused by either stress or boredom. The key to breaking a bad habit is finding an alternative when you find yourself in a situation that prompts that behaviour. If you find yourself procrastinating, have a small break and go for a walk. If you\u2019re trying to quit smoking but a stressful situation is triggering cravings, you could try some mindful breathing<\/a> exercises. It can also be helpful letting a friend or colleague know when you\u2019re trying to break a habit as they can prompt you and hold you accountable.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n References<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lowcarbprogram.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/iStock-931053274-1.jpg\")
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