DO 10 MINUTES’ MENTAL FITNESS
We all know that every CEO from Arianna Huffington to Mark Zuckerberg meditates, and studies show it can sharpen – and sustain – attention, even during the most boring of tasks (that’ll be updating the spreadsheet, then). Now companies are encouraging the practice – Apple allows 30-minute meditation breaks and Nike has ‘quiet’ rooms for that very purpose.
The hack: Psychologist Daniel Goleman has spent years studying focus. His book
The Science Of Meditation offers a simple trick: “Turn off your phone and sit in a relaxed posture at your desk,” he says. “For 10 minutes focus entirely on your breath, in and out. The key is to notice when your mind wanders – which it will – and bring it back to your breathing.” Think of those errant thoughts like a naughty child that runs off and needs escorting back.