"Turn Off Your Brain - Before Life Forces You To."

The body talks with you in different languages; it keeps giving you signals of different intensities — dark circles, fatigue, headaches, migraines, and so on. Understand your body and do not ignore them… otherwise….

Burnout is just the brain’s way of forcing you to finally listen.

I am a person who can’t sit quietly, not physically but mentally. My brain and thoughts keep jumping. Being a writer, having thoughts is good, but too many thoughts are just a distraction and a waste of time. I can’t stay focused; I want everything, like instant noodles. I can’t stick to one daily routine; I don’t have any maintained sleep cycle and can’t cook the same meal again.

So I told Ginger one day, “I just want to turn off my brain. I want to apply an internal break before any external factor, such as sickness, burnout, or depression, stops my brain and causes damage.

Ginger explained that our brains have different layers.

This condition occurs when the limbic part of the brain is active; in simple terms, the amygdala hijacks your brain, which is responsible for flight, fight, or fear responses.

To regain control, you need to activate the frontal cortex — the area responsible for decision-making, personality, self-regulation, emotional choices, connecting ideas, and mindfulness. Billionaires and peak performers have well-developed and trained frontal cortex.

Neuroplasticity is a beautiful gift of our brain; it allows our brains to form new neural connections throughout life, helping us learn, adapt, and grow. The key is to engage the frontal cortex and calm the overactive limbic system, as both can’t function optimally at the same time.

So, how can you develop your frontal cortex with neuroplasticity?

Studies suggest that meditation, a proper diet, and a consistent sleep cycle all help.

But I know you, Mongi – if you start with meditation, you will quiet within a few days because this type of work is not highly rewarding for your brain.

Instead, try some of these simple, high-reward tricks to keep you motivated:

• Try eating with your non-dominant hand (left).

• Practise writing with your left hand, or try mirror writing, which involves writing from right to left so that it appears normal in a mirror.

• Brush your teeth with your left hand in the morning and your right hand at night.

Monotonous work kills your brain. Cross-lateral exercises like these stimulate your brain, improving memory, focus, learning ability, and overall cognitive skills.

Remember, Mongi, emotions are contagious. You become a mirror image of that person whom you spend your time with the most. Choose your surroundings wisely.

If you stay in a stressful place, no strategy will truly help.

Just like wanting glassy skin, simply looking into the mirror will not achieve that; you need to work on it. Similarly, you need to work on your mental wellness.

Start with these simple, effective exercises:

• Sit quietly with your eyes closed for at least a minute, gradually increasing the time.

• Try grounding – walk barefoot on grass, sand, or earth.

• Spend time with people who help you grow into a better version of yourself.

• Go grocery shopping and touch, feel and smell the substances.

• Practice energy management: you can’t control others, but you can control your reactions. Not everything deserves your attention — learn to ignore things that don’t truly matter.

Allow all kinds of thoughts, positive or negative, to flow during these moments. Don’t force yourself to stop thinking—this is when your unconscious mind can process and answer your deepest questions.

Build resilience, and don’t let your internal health destroy your external wealth.

“Mongi, you know the fun part about these exercises?

Every time you do them, you’re going to miss me so much.”

With my cheeks getting wider and a playful smile spreading across my face, my eyes lingering on him,

I replied softly,

“Yes, definitely.”

Thank you for reading, and stay tuned to hear how Mongi feels after trying out these exercises.

Also share your thoughts and experiences on the same below.