People like being in clean and tidy places. It gives them a sense of peace and stability. However, while most people clean the physical places around them, very few pay attention to the mental mess that they’re hoarding. If you’re someone who feels like they are drowning in a sea of despair and you don’t have any control over your own life, it is about time you consider a decluttering of your mind and soul; not just your physical body and physical space.
Our minds and spirits occasionally require cleaning, much like our drawers and cupboards. It's necessary to get rid of all of your mental clutter if you want to be motivated, focused, and productive. Any uneasy feeling that limits your ability to perform to its utmost is considered mental and emotional clutter. Moving on and having a level head when facing life might be hindered by uncertainty, fear, and regret.
You must keep this mental and emotional clutter under control because organizing your physical environment is only one part of the process. Your outer aura should match your inner aura. You must therefore learn to purge your body, mind, and emotions. No matter how orderly your surroundings are, if your inner self is uneasy and restless, everything will continue to be unsteady. Here are some quick and simple techniques to clear your mind, body and spirit quickly, yet effectively:
GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT
Setting priorities is a fantastic approach to actively take control of your life. Finding out what matters most to you, your life aspirations, and your long-term goals, is the first step. Make a list of your top priorities, and then make sure that your decisions and actions are in line with those priorities. Making an action plan to achieve those targets and figuring out how to allocate your time so that you can concentrate on each item on that list is the next stage.
It's crucial to remember that as you get older and as time passes, your list of priorities will probably change. This is entirely great, as long as you keep in regular contact with yourself and your goals, and make sure your current objectives are still beneficial to you.
START JOURNALLING
Writing in a journal is a fantastic way to comprehend, evaluate, and unwind. Even a few minutes a day of writing can help you deal with sadness, anxiety, and create mental space that will help you handle stress better.
A study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General found that expressive writing reduces intrusive memories of unpleasant events and enhances working memory. These advancements, according to researchers, may, in turn, free up our cognitive resources for other mental tasks, such as the capacity to handle stress more skillfully. According to a University of Rochester Medical Center report, keeping a daily diary can be a good way to let go of pent-up emotions and manage anxiety and despair.
To start a journal, you don't need to be a prolific writer. You don't have to write a lot in your diary entry; you can always doodle or draw or, keep a bullet journal.
CREATE AN AUTO-PILOT MODE
Small, repetitive chores can occupy a lot of mental resources. It may be as easy as choosing what to dress or what to eat for dinner every day. By creating small automated routines, such as preparing your meals for the week, performing particular tasks on specific days, or always eating the same thing for lunch each day, you can lessen the additional pressure.
LEARN TO LET GO
It's crucial to let go of all the unfavorable feelings and thoughts that are weighing you down. Getting rid of pointless worries, fears, and ideas relieves stress, improves self-esteem, and creates mental space. Regularly check your ideas, and make an effort to replace any negative ones with good ones.
AVOID MULTI-TASKING
While occasionally multitasking is harmless and even extremely productive, doing so constantly reduces your attention span, causes stress, and adds to the clutter in your brain by making it tough for it to filter out unimportant information. In fact, a Stanford University study found that doing too many things at once decreases efficiency and may harm your cognitive control. The answer is to focus on one thing at a time. List the tasks you have to complete that day. The to-do list should be short and practical. Work your way down the list, one task at a time, starting with the most crucial items.
DECLUTTER YOUR PHYSICAL SPACES
Be it at work or at home, make sure that you declutter the physical spaces that you most use. You may be surprised to learn that folks with a dirty workspace are less productive and experience higher levels of frustration. So don't wait till tomorrow; organize your workspace right away. You could start by getting rid of everything that is not necessary and giving everything a place. Cleaning your physical spaces every day is the greatest method to maintain organization without feeling overburdened or worn out.
BREATHE
Well, why is Breathe something on the list to declutter your mind and spirit? Isn’t it something you do automatically without thinking about it? Well, yes and no. Since breathing is often done without much effort or conscious thought, we tend to forget about it sometimes. However, breathing is what supports your entire life system and is the most crucial part of being mindful.
Breathe in deeply. Pause. Exhale gradually. Pause. Yes, it feels wonderful. Our habitual shallow breathing, along with slouching at our workstations or on the couch, reduces the amount of oxygenated blood that reaches our brains.
A quick way to calm your mind, create tranquillity, and improve your mood is to practice deep breathing. Your body can relax more as a result of the decreased heart rate, blood pressure, and stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Breathing exercises not only reduce stress but also improve focus and fortify the immune system.
BE DECISIVE
According to professional organizer Scott Roewer, "clutter is merely delayed decisions." When you put off making decisions all the time, your brain becomes cluttered with all the information that has to be processed. So, stop putting it off and make the call. Whether it is the house you want to purchase or the email you have put off sending for so long. When making basic judgments, carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages before deciding. The Heath brothers in Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work suggest using the WRAP method for more significant choices.
TAKE A BREAK
Last but not least, give yourself a break. To function properly, your brain needs to relax and refuel. So keep away from your phones and laptops and do something different instead. Find a way to clear your thoughts, whether it's a long nap, a stroll in the park, or just talking to your family.
