For many, this time of year can be hectic and exhausting. Between juggling busy school schedules, meeting deadlines, and everything else on your plate, having a sharp mind to stay on top of it all is crucial. I’m excited to share five practices I have recently discovered that support my mental focus and increase my energy levels:

1. Before going to sleep, I slice ¼ of a cucumber and add the slices to 12 ounces of water, then leave it in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, I add a few drops of Citrus Fresh essential oil blend to the cucumber-infused water and drink it within 10 minutes of waking. I’ve discovered that drinking this refreshing beverage at the start of my day uplifts and wakens my body systems—after all, the brain’s functions are dependent on proper hydration!

2. Every day I try to take 15 minutes to calm my mind and focus my thoughts. Meditation can be as simple as sitting quietly or concentrating on your breathing.  Meditation has been practiced for centuries and is known for unique benefits such as increased awareness, decreased stress levels, and heightened mental clarity. I often diffuse Clarity essential oil blend or Peppermint essential oil to enhance my reflection time.

3. Sometime around my midday meal, I like to take advantage of a few cognition-supporting supplements. NingXia Nitro is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up, full of beneficial ingredients like D-Ribose and Korean ginseng extract. I also like to give my mind an extra boost with MindWise, Young Living’s new advanced brain wellness serum. Providing generous amounts of vitamin D, CoQ10, ALCAR, and GPC, MindWise is my go-to supplement for supporting my mind and memory.*

4. In addition to stimulating multiple areas of the brain, music helps minimize background noise and distractions. I have found classical music to be my ultimate distraction reducer. Whether I am at work, completing household chores, or simply relaxing, listening to my favorite composers keeps my mind motivated and engaged.

I’ll share my fifth tip with a special recipe on Monday, September 15, so be sure to visit the blog again soon! Until then, leave a comment with your tips for staying sharp and alert during the back-to-school season, and you’ll be automatically entered to win a free bottle of MindWise! Three winners will be randomly selected and announced in my September 15 post. Good luck!

—Blair Lloyd, Young Living International and Portfolio Brand Associate

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

• Good tips! Especially the ones to calm your mind. Makes a huge difference in how your day goes.

• Thanks for the tips! I find that getting plenty of sleep is the biggest factor for me in keeping my mind sharp during the day. I am also looking forward to getting my first shipment of NingXia next week to add to that routine!

• To stay sharp and alert, I have one of the USB Diffusers in my vehicle and heavy equipment that I operate. I diffuse a combination of Purification and Peppermint. The Purification helps eliminate the odors of diesel, etc while in the heavy equipment and the Peppermint helps keep me alert. I also use Cedarwood at night time to help me get a good nights rest and in the am when I get up I drink 1 oz of Ningxia Red.

• I FORCE myself to go to bed at a good time; I can always tell if I haven’t eaten–so I try to make sure that I’ve given my body ( my mind) fuel; if I know that it’s going to be a long, busy day with getting home late due to ballgames or whatever, I slip Peppermint in my purse (it seems to make the most difference for me when I put it at the back of my neck); and I try to rest (even if it’s for 10 mins in my vehicle waiting for kids to get out of school). Resting is a big factor for me as well. Thanks for all these tips!

• I diffuse peppermint and rosemary in the morning of homeschooling. It helps everyone be more awake and learning.

• Wake up, shower and massage my scalp with rosemary while it is wet. Drink lemon in my water all day long. Diffuse lemon and peppermint in my USB diffuser! Thank you for these oils!

• I sip lemon and grapefruit oil in my water all day long. I sniff peppermint or add it to my wrists about mid afternoon. I will have to try it on the back of my neck as suggested in the other comments.

Article source: https://blog.youngliving.com/5-quick-tips-for-mental-sharpness/