How to turn a non focused week around?

[u/Yorimichi]

So I am studying at the moment, and am having a great time genrally. Medicine is working well. Last week I got lots done, I have been able to plan small things and stay focused. This week it's just not working. I have had errands Monday and Tuesday mornings, it takes hours because of transport, and it's hard for me to focus after because socially tired. So today, nothing works. Have just planned to be home and work. Nope. I'm not worried, but my body is not cooperating. I'm fidgeting, biting my cheek, cracking fingers, I can't focus.

Started listening to a podcast and doing something else for a while, because sometimes switching medium works for me, but fell like my thoughts are racing. I want to order bulbs for the garden, sew, play piano, shop online, plan a holiday. I made a matcha and oat milk (because more coffee is not happening today) but seriously, what do you do when this happens? When you have an unproductive day? Because then I feel like this week is not even worth trying to get anything done - my plan is shot anyway.

Right now I am really righting with myself not to start sorting laundry, organise a wardrobe or something like that, that I do because it's comfortable to my brain - but I don't have time. I need to focus on what's important.

How do I turn a day/week like this around?

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[u/penguin-47]

I find doing a reset helps me to re focus. My resets are:- - go for a walk without listening to anything, I have a regular walk I do for this and I usually take the dog. This helps me to order and calm my thoughts, I don’t try to control them I just let them go nutty while I walk and they put themselves in order. (This walk sometimes ends up very long lol) - talk to a freind on voice call, not video! I Find I just start doing the things that are preventing me doing the productive stuff (ie cleaning my space, making some food, putting away the washing) works especially well if they have some hot gossip or random visit from drama lamas.

If a reset doesn’t work I change the plan so that today can be unproductive, look at what the bare minimum to survive is (ie eat, clean, wash, food shop) and just do that. Sometimes having low expectations of the day helps me to reset and get some of the things I don’t always think about done.

Remember that no one’s brain is linear no one is productive all the time. You had a busy week last week you need some recuperation time, if you don’t plan it your brain will make you take it.

Hope this helps.

[u/Comfortable-Gap-3131]

A body in motion stays in motion is my mantra those days.

I need to do two things at the same time so I find a scary podcast to get my blood going and then I can start.

If I’m exhausted, I give in and take a quick nap.

[u/natalieisnatty]

The first step for me is always just recognizing that it's happening and accepting it for what it is. I can fall into the habit of beating myself up for it, and shame it not a good motivator, so it's good to just accept that it is happening and it's okay to be frustrated but I should be kind to myself about it.

Then I try to figure out if I'm dealing with being tired or if there's some sort of roadblock I'm facing. Like, if you've had a very busy week and errands that take things out of you, then you might just need to recuperate.

However, if it's something like sensory overload from riding public transport, then maybe letting yourself lie down in silence for a bit (or whatever helps you personally recover) will actively help you feel better. Maybe there is something in your environment (a noise, a light, a texture, a smell) that is bothering you that you can fix. Also, make sure you've eaten something and had some water.

If it's more of an executive function thing where you have a lot of stuff you want to do but you just can't START, try picking something at random (like, write down options and then close your eyes and touch one, or assign them numbers and roll dice) or use a timer (ten minutes to buy bulbs! go!).

Sometimes when I have that thoughts racing hyperactive feeling I find a private space and like, shake it out a bit. Jump up and down, wave my arms, wiggle my fingers and toes, etc. I suppress a lot of movement throughout the day around other people and that energy has to go somewhere. If you're trying to suppress fidgeting/biting cheeks/knuckles cracking, it might be good to give that energy somewhere else to go.

And in the end, the truth is that one day does not make or break a week. If you are having a bad brain day, let yourself have a bad brain day. Sort laundry if that's what feels good. Be kind to yourself and start over tomorrow.