Unlocking Your Focus - S1- Ep Eight. The Science of Attention, Concentration, and Productivity

Unlocking Your Focus - S1- Ep Eight. The Science of Attention, Concentration, and Productivity

In today’s fast-paced world, focusing on one thing at a time is challenging. Add a side of ADHD or a processing disorder and it’s nearly impossible to ‘just pay attention’. As adults who deal with varying levels of ADHD, Kelz and Matt know all too well about this struggle and the stigma that comes with it. Matt highlights that those with attention and focus issues are often told to pay attention but are not taught how. And as Kelz points out, with so many stimuli around us, how do we choose which one to dial into? Key Takeaways: How to define the concept of attention in both broad and specific terms The difference between focus, attention and concentration Ways you can identify which area you struggle with most - focus, attention or concentration Correcting the commonly held view that focus and attention are based on an individual’s willpower How emotional dysregulation can cause issues with your ability to focus and concentrate Why we tend to gravitate towards the most intense stimuli when there are multiple things happening at once How the type of learner you are can be a factor in what stimuli you dial into How these challenges impact your relationships and your productivity Why it is so crucial to address these issues, whether through therapy or tools such as Recess Tips to help you choose the right tools and techniques to find your Flow

Flow with Recess: A Mental Health Podcast for Peak Performance⁠

Flow with Recess: A Mental Health Podcast for Peak PerformanceIn our last episode, we tackled Imposter Syndrome and how it affects our sense of self and self-worth. This week we want to dive deeper into that and explore the vulnerability that comes with talking about our self-worth. Matt uses the analogy of childhood to exemplify how self-worth can be diminished due to external factors. The more exposure we have to society, the more pressures we face to live up to certain standards. We often make the mistake of tying our worth to external factors such as our success or how we are viewed by others. This results in an unstable sense of self and self-worth. Matt and Kelz instead encourage us to look within and develop a healthy relationship with ourselves. Key Takeaways: - What self-worth is, from a psychological perspective - Differentiating identity, self-image, self-worth and self-esteem - The sources of worth - both external and internal - How focusing on the type of relationship we have with ourselves can make it easier to reflect on our sense of worth - How social standards impact our sense of self-worth - Ways to function in society without allowing it to have negative impacts on our self-worth - How our biological responses to not doing ‘the right thing’ force us to change the way we view ourselves - Self-worth is an inherent value that cannot be built or destroyed - only discovered or forgotten. Read our latest blog: www.withrecess.com/blog/building-self-worth-strategies-for-strengthening-your-sense-of-self and remember to follow us on Instagram @withrecess and connect with us on LinkedIn at Recess Labs. Check out our I am Capable Bilateral Audio Experience to help re-wire your brain to it's most capable state:    • I am Capable: Unleash Your Potential ...   [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yu89nG_wlk&t=1s]

The Mindfulness Advantage: S1- Ep Seven. How to Boost Performance and Well-Being at Work

Welcome to Flow with Recess, a podcast to help you unlock your best self. Join Chief Psychology Officer of Recess, Matt Swartz and our CEO, Kelz Bethel, your hosts on this journey to flow. Mindfulness has almost become a buzzword in recent years with numerous tools and experts popping up that claim to be able to teach you how to achieve a state of mindfulness. But what is it really and what are the benefits to be derived from it? Matt breaks down what mindfulness is and corrects the common misconceptions being shared about this practice. He highlights that at the base of it all, mindfulness is about being present and that there is no one way to achieve it. Both Kelz and Matt share how they were able to find what works for them and encourage both individuals and companies to incorporate moments of mindfulness in their daily routines. As someone with ADHD, Kelz shares how the Recess app allowed her to work on better focusing her attention and being more present. Key Takeaways: - What mindfulness is and how it benefits us in our daily lives - The intersection between mindfulness and flow state - How mindfulness differs from meditation - How you can use mindfulness to improve your productivity - Addressing misconceptions about mindfulness - Simple ways to begin creating a practice and habit of being more mindful - Tips on how you can use Recess to create your practice - Perception vs. interpretation vs. action and how these relate to being mindful and present - How past experiences and trauma can impact your ability to be mindful - Incorporating mindfulness into company cultures and how this can benefit both the employees and the organizations. Read our latest blog: https://www.withrecess.com/blog/mindf... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbDBELW5fOXBHeUdULXVkUUtuS2g3MDBxSzE2d3xBQ3Jtc0trNFRBbXU4SWtKTFBPU3kxd2NpWHFMbHlYeU15UEZkTzRrQ1pUTnl3Z0dGUk9JeFBEbndvdVNlWjhKZTROM2FKLUYwTk5iV2kxZUktdkN6VFFFTXA3MEktcjFMLVctVWhnd0Uyd1k3Vl9fdkt2M3N3UQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.withrecess.com%2Fblog%2Fmindfulness-and-productivity-unlocking-your-full-potential&v=NrF6ccA5fvo] and remember to follow us on Instagram @withrecess and connect with us on LinkedIn at Recess Labs.

Conquering Imposter Syndrome - S1 - Ep Five. insight and tips from mental health experts

We all have moments of self-doubt, second-guessing ourselves and our abilities. But for some, that feeling is much more persistent and becomes Imposter Syndrome. Imposter Syndrome is the sense that nothing you have achieved has made you ‘good enough’ for the status you hold or as though you’re a fraud, especially in a professional setting. Both Matt and Kelz get profoundly personal and emotional, about their experiences. They share how, despite all their professional achievements and the self-work they do, they still feel the need to prove themselves. Key Takeaways: - The basic definition of Imposter Syndrome vs the way Recess defines it - What the roots of Imposter Syndrome are and how they tie into our survival instincts - How our need to be seen as successful can trigger these feelings - How Imposter Syndrome can manifest itself in personal relationships - The persona we create to mask our feelings of inadequacy are not sustainable - How self-love and acceptance can be the motivation for overcoming Imposter Syndrome - The pressure that comes with these feelings of inadequacy and how this can ultimately lead to failure Read our latest blog: www.withrecess.com/blog/imposter-syndrome-at-work-overcoming-self-doubt and remember to follow us on Instagram @withrecess and connect with us on LinkedIn at Recess Labs.

Overcoming Perfectionism - S1- Ep Four. Strategies for Unlocking Your Full Potential

Society has long equated being perfect with being valuable and it's no wonder you might have adopted a perfectionist mindset. But the truth is - it might be doing you more harm than good.  In this episode, Matt and Kelz explore how it can hold you back from personal and professional growth by lowering your self confidence. They go further to share the impact it can have on relationships - adding emotional pressure on those around you and disconnecting you from those you want to connect with.  As they discuss ways to overcome perfectionism, they share their own stories about the impacts the quest for perfectionism has had on their lives. Beyond the impact on your emotional health and social connections, it affects your creativity and output. If you feel as though what you have to share is not ‘perfect’ you can find yourself procrastinating or dealing with an anxious mindset. Key Takeaways: * What the concept of ‘perfectionism’ means and the various ways it can present itself * How society has contributed to this idea that perfectionism is something to aspire to * The ways perfectionist tendencies can impede progress and personal growth * How your idea of ‘perfect’ can affect your relationships, productivity, and mental health * The intersection of religion, culture, and the desire to be ‘perfect’ in order to be considered valuable * Ways in which perfectionism can benefit you if you understand how to navigate your feelings around it * What factors foster the state of perfectionism Read our latest blog: https://www.withrecess.com/blog/how-our-app-was-built-to-help-you-achieve-more-in-less-time and remember to follow us on Instagram @withrecess and connect with us on LinkedIn at Recess Labs.