5 Simple Daily Practices to Help You Clear Your Headspace
5 Simple Daily Practices to Help You Clear Your Headspace
As you juggle the hustle and bustle of your daily life, ever feel like your mind’s a cluttered closet needing a good clean-out? Well, you’re not alone. Abraham Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Think of clearing your mental headspace as sharpening your axe—essential for productivity and well-being. Let’s dive in while Shannon Treadwell LPC, NCC, a licensed Professional Counselor and the owner of From Within, shares five simple strategies to help you maintain a healthier mental state.
- Focus on the Present
Take daily moments for mindfulness, like meditation, to find inner calm. Count your blessings.
Imagine your mind as a radio station constantly switching between stations—yesterday’s regrets, tomorrow’s worries, but what about today’s beat? Mindfulness is your DJ, bringing you back to the present moment. So, let’s pause on the mental playback and tune into the now. Try a quick mindfulness exercise, like taking a few deep breaths or observing your surroundings. Eckhart Tolle put it well; “Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have.” So, remember to acknowledge and appreciate the good in your life—counting your blessings can foster gratitude and enhance your mood.
- Declutter Your Space
A clean and organized space eliminates sensory cues and reduces stress response.
Ever notice how a cluttered desk mirrors a cluttered mind? Clear out the unnecessary noise and make room for clarity. Just like you tidy up your workspace, take a few minutes daily to tidy up your mind’s playground. As Marie Kondo would say, “Keep only those things that speak to your heart and discard the rest.” Keeping your living and working spaces clean and organized eliminates many sensory cues contributing to a heightened stress response. Dedicate a few minutes each day to organizing your surroundings. You’ll clear your space and create a more serene mental environment.
- Perform a Brain Dump
Make a list of everything in your mind to clear your head and put it aside for later.
Picture your mind as a leaky faucet—drip, drip, drip—filling your mental sink with worries and to-dos. It’s time to turn off the tap with a brain dump. Grab a piece of paper and let it all flow out. From grocery lists to existential musings, get it down on paper. It’s like hitting the reset button for your mind. By transferring your thoughts from your mind to paper, you clear mental space and reduce feeling overwhelmed. When you’re ready to address specific items, you can revisit this list later. Anne Lamott says, “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
- Move Your Body
Do regular Exercise; it can boost your mood and reduce stress.
Your body’s not just a vessel for your brain—it’s the engine powering your productivity. So, let’s rev it up with some movement. Get those endorphins pumping, whether it’s a dance party in your living room or a brisk walk around the block. Integrating physical activity into your daily routine can boost your energy levels, improve sleep, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Remember what Elle Woods said, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy…”
- Take Time for Yourself
Check in with yourself or take time to do something you enjoy.
Amidst the chaos of entrepreneurship, don’t forget to pencil in some “me time.” It’s not selfish; it’s self-care. Whether diving into a good book, gardening, painting, or simply sipping tea on your porch, prioritize these moments – they are your chance to reconnect with yourself and nurture your mental health. After all, as Audre Lorde said, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence; it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”
So, there you have it: five simple practices to declutter your mental space. Remember, like watering a plant, consistency is critical. So, incorporate these practices into your daily routine and watch your mental garden flourish.
Join us for our next Community Conversation, “Clearing Your Headspace.” This engaging and insightful event addresses mental wellness in underserved communities in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s time to shatter the stigma surrounding mental health and foster open dialogue. Our community deserves unwavering support, deep understanding, and accessible resources. Let’s share experiences, insights, and resources, uplifting one another.
RSVP HERE https://viviansdoor.com/event-details/clearingyourheadspace/
