Spring Training
If you’re a multitasking museum or nonprofit pro, you likely feel like your brain is firing on all cylinders, all the time. So, why would you want to do any more brain training?
Spring training is that time of year when major league baseball players head out to the warmth of Florida and Arizona to mentally and physically prepare for the regular season. From batting drills to sprints to increasing the pitch count, all baseball players use a variety of exercises to build up their strength and stamina for the next 180+ days.
While you might not need to run wind sprints or work on your double-play tactics, spring is a great time to do your own version of spring training. Imagine taking a few minutes every day to clear headspace, help with analytical development, increase memory function, improve mental flexibility, and reduce stress? Spring is also a perfect time to “clean out the cobwebs” and try something new. Here are ten ways you can have your own spring training and build some healthy habits to help you manage your own busy season:
Build your vocabulary: make a note of one word or phrase you hear each day and take a deeper dive into the meaning. Dictionary.com also offers a word-of-the-day email that you can subscribe to.
Start a new hobby: Thanks to the magic of YouTube, you can truly start up a new hobby! Want to learn to paint? There’s a tutorial for that! Ready to knit or crochet? There are people out there with skills to share!
Use your senses: Have you heard of the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique? If not, check it out! It’s an easy way to discover the world around you and reduce anxiety!
Go your own way: Do you take the same route to work every day? If there are alternative routes, try something new!
Feel puzzled: Puzzles of all kinds allow our brains to work in a non-linear way. Try something online like Worldle (the geography version of Wordle) or break out a good-ole-fashioned jigsaw puzzle.
Build up your mindfulness: Meditation is a great way to help your brain decompress and function better in stressful situations.
Interval training: If exercise is your thing, try interval training. You don’t need a fancy app or a home gym. Plug in some headphones and walk at a steady speed for a song and up your speed for the chorus.
Play a game: Games are a wonderful way to have fun and use your brain differently. If you play a lot of games, think about how you can change up your strategy and play in a new way.
Draw: Grab a notebook and pencil. Then, check out artprompts.org for some daily or weekly inspiration to put pen to paper in a creative way.
Use your non-dominant hand: Whatever your dominant hand, try a new activity each week that mixes things up. Eating, writing, drawing, reaching, or any other activity with a non-dominant hand will give your brain a jolt!