We talk a lot about decluttering our homes, and even our computers. The one thing we often ignore is that there is also clutter in our minds. And in this age of information overload, mind clutter can have a huge impact on how you focus and how productive you can be.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to declutter your mind so that you can think more clearly and practice being more mindful.
Here are 4 strategies for decluttering your mind
Strategy #1
Deep Breathing Exercises
Deep breathing might seem like a no-brainer, but as a tool for calming your mind, you really can’t beat it. It’s a form of instant relief for a cluttered mind, especially if you’re really feeling anxious or overwhelmed by your thoughts.
Here’s one of my favorite deep breathing exercises that I do whenever I start feeling overwhelmed.
- Take a deep breath.
- Breathe in through your nose and visualize the air moving down to your stomach.
- As you breathe in again silently count to four.
- Purse your lips as you exhale slowly.
- This time count silently to eight.
- Repeat this process six to ten times.
Strategy #2
Start a Journaling Practice
Writing things down gets them out of your head and onto paper. It’s a physical way of decluttering your mind where you can actually see the results. Journaling is a great habit to get into for routinely removing the clutter from your thoughts.
The ways of journaling are many, and it doesn’t’ matter what format you use. The main thing is that you are getting your thoughts out of your head and into a place where you can actually see them. This makes it easier to see what you can change in life and what is really bothering you instead of what you have no control over.
Recommended Resource
Make Today Amazing Blank Journal
Strategy #3
Get a good night’s sleep
When you're going through your day after only a few hours of sleep each night, it can be hard to think clearly. Your mind is exhausted from a lack of sleep, which can decrease your focus on the tasks that you perform each day.
When you begin to slow down at work or at school, it can have an impact on your success, which further clutters your mind as you begin thinking about the consequences that might ensue. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep each night as the various sleep cycles help to rebuild your energy and clear your mind.
Strategy #4
Slow down and practice self-care
One of the best ways to declutter your mind is to slow your life down and practice self-care. Here are a few ways you can do that:
- Make time to go for a walk, either alone or with your family.
- Find a way to shorten the list of things that you have to do during the day.
- Try to let go of some of the negative feelings that you have in your mind.
- Make time to practice self-care
Bonus Resource
Download a Free Checklist of 60 Self-Care Ideas for Women
Final Thoughts
Decluttering your mind is one of the best things you can do for your self-care. It helps you be more mindful of what’s important to you. Using these strategies can help you navigate the feelings of overwhelm and information overload that clog up your thoughts, so that you can start thinking clearly, be more mindful, and ultimately be more creative.
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Related Posts:
20 Opportunities to Be More Mindful During Your Day
Mindfulness Journaling: 6 Things to Know Before You Start
Tools for Decluttering Your Mind: The Brain Dump
Do You Need a Mental Break? 5 Tips to Help Unwind Your Mind
7 Tips for Journaling More Mindfully
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I’ve been working on these very things lately. It’s amazing how it also improves other “cluttered” areas of your life!
So true, Tammy! I really believe the saying “As within, so without” … When you declutter one area of your life it shows up in all the others too.
I totally agree. Have to work on it. My mind is as cluttered as my spaces. :-)
Lily
Mine too, Lily :)
I’m really enjoying your series on mindfulness and the practical application. Having descriptions and instructions of specific practices, along with explanations of what they do and why they work is quite helpful.
Thanks Lillian! I’m so happy that you’re finding the posts helpful. :)
Was really searching for this type of article. Sometimes after doing too much work make it very difficult for me to relax. I will use the methods you share to declutter mind. Thanks a lot for sharing such a useful information.
Thanks Robin! Glad you found the information helpful. :)
Journaling helps! Sleeping and taking naps help decluttering the mind. Very very nice post. Loved it.
Thanks Snehal! I appreciate your comments. :)
My mind is in need of a desperate de-cluttering session! lol I just purchased a journal and I’m using the month of April to begin bullet journaling for the first time :) Self care is SO important and it’s one that we often neglect in our lives. These are great tips – thanks for posting!
Thanks Kristin! Awesome on the bullet journaling. I’ve been doing it for about 1 1/2 years now, and would be lost without it. I learned about self-care the hard way.. I think that’s why I harp on it so much. :)