I feel like crap and I can't concentrate on my work

Lets face it. Life happens and some days you just don't feel your best. Not feeling great can affect your ability to stay focused and productive.

You spent the last TWO hours staring at the SAME math worksheet. You are still stuck at question one. Your mind is preoccupied with negative thoughts and as you think about how your friends are already done with this assignment, you feel even more stressed out.

You really want to snap out of the rumination, but you just can't.

Try this:

When you feel overwhelmed with negative thoughts, give yourself 10 MINUTES to wallow in sadness, feel miserable, scream, cry, let the emotions out.

After 10 minutes, tell yourself: OK, ENOUGH! Get OUT of the position you were in. Wash your face. Sit down, close your eyes and take three slow, deep breaths.

If taking a nap / going to sleep is an option, do that! Wake up to a brand new beginning.

But, if that is not an option, ask yourself: Is there anything I can do right now to change the situation? If the answer is no, tell yourself that it is pointless to continue dwelling on the issue right now. Distract your mind with some uplifting music, take a short walk or move to a simpler task first!

Make yourself a nice cup of milo, fruit juice or just water.

Get back to the assignment in front of you. Allow yourself to slowly get into the groove again. Be kind and patient with yourself. You might start off slowly, but you will gain momentum.

You've got this!

A baby step is still a step.

"Don't let your emotions distract you from what needs to be done. Control your emotions so your emotions don't control you."

#managingemotions

#productivity