There is a plethora of information online about how to detox your body. In fact, if you google the word ‘detox’, the search quickly boasts ‘about 262,000,000 results’* and the first page, if filled with wonderful information about the importance of, and how to cleanse your body; removing toxins, eating fruits, amazing products and more.
But, if our brain is responsible for just about every function of our bodies , then surely we should also keep our brain ‘in mind’ (see what I did there), when we speak of detoxing for better living, right?
(Quick note; while there is continued discussion around the difference between our mind and our brains, for the purpose here, we refer to them as the same concept)
That said, when was the last time you had a mental detox?
Some people have developed lifestyles which is in constant mental detox mode – Lucky them!
But for the rest of us, we need to be intentional with keeping our mental state free from life’s residue and refreshed.
7 Signs You Need a Mental Detox
- You feel out of control
- You are always blaming others
- You feel like your life is some blockbuster movie
- You keep asking, “What happened?”
- You feel like your best years are behind you
- You are afraid of the future
- You keep comparing yourself to others
7 Practical Ways To Start Detoxing
1. Clean Up Your Physical Environment
Studies show that having a cluttered environment can negatively affect your mind. Due to the actual physical effects of having a build up of items, plus the dirt and germs that come with it, you will automatically feel more mentally lighter just by cleaning up your environment.
2. Keep a Journal
Don’t just journal in the same way all the time. Sometimes you just need a way to get out everything that’s on your mind, but other times you need to journal more effectively so that the information is useful to you later. Journaling can help you “empty” out the bad stuff that’s on your mind.
3. Turn Negative Thoughts Around
Everyone has negative thoughts. The problem with them is often that those thoughts are merely brain junk. What makes them junk and toxic is if you cannot do anything about it and have no control over it, giving it brain space and time is useless. With practice, when you think of something negative you can use different techniques to turn them around.
4. Take Time for Self-Care
Easier said than done – I know! Do you love yourself enough to ensure that you do everything you can to succeed? While it should be one of the most natural things we can do, some times you do need help. Don’t be ashamed to get help on the outside to learn how to care for yourself.
5. Don’t Multitask
It’s a total myth that we can do this! Truth is, we may be wasting a lot of time when we switch back and forth between things…because we are switching back and forth. You’re not doing both at the same time. It’s impossible. If you think you can try checking Twitter while you’re writing the next great American Novel, you’re wrong. Don’t create mental pile-ups by trying to multitask.
6. Automate
One way to get things done in a more organized manner, and keep your thoughts from getting all mixed up and negative, is not to do them at all if you can automate them. There are many things you can automate both at home and at work. Automation can take lots of your mind build up away and make you feel almost normal.
7. Switch off
It is important to stay informed and stay connected with what is happening in the world, but it every once in a while you need to disconnect. Make the decision not to watch anything that evokes negative feelings, limit the time of day you watch the news, start following positive pages online (you’re reading this so you’ve already started), disconnect from digital and reconnect with family.
The only way to detox mentally is to bring out the things that are toxic to you. Just as your body needs to detoxify, so does your brain need to detoxify from negativity, overwork, fear and anxiety.
To detoxify mentally, you must first recognize the toxic thoughts or behaviors that signal it is time for a cleanse.
If we give our body and mind a detox; time and space to rest, release, refresh, and recharge, we can do amazing things.
How do you detox your mind. Let us know.
*At time of writing
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