Mental clutter is a big problem for many people. Research has found that around 30% of adults feel stressed and anxious on a regular basis, and the current pandemic isn’t making things any easier.
Over time mental clutter can cause depression, insomnia and poor health, so if you are feeling overwhelmed it could be beneficial to try and remove some of the mental clutter. This may seem like an impossible task, but there are actually lots of little things you can do to reduce stress and improve your mental health.
Here are five simple ways you can remove mental clutter.
1. Establish Boundaries
Mental clutter often occurs when people struggle to set boundaries, so the first thing you should do is establish boundaries in your own life. If work is the main source of your stress, set a rule that you won’t talk about work at home (or if you work from home, only use one specific space to work). This won’t limit your freedom, but it will make it much easier for you to relax and wind down at the end of the day.
However it is important to note that this will only be effective if your work hours are reasonable. If you are overworked you may find that you need to take work home, whether you like it or not. If this is the case, you may want to think about delegating work or looking for a virtual assistant to help you.
2. Transform Your Thought Pattern
Negative thought pattens cause stress and anxiety, but productive thought patterns are reassuring and affirming. So instead of worrying about your heavy workload, try to come up with little solutions that will make work easier going forward. Sure, it can be tempting to think about all of the things that are out of your control – but if you want to move forward, the best thing you can do is think about the things that you can do to change your situation.
3. Make Your Mental Health Your Number One Priority
Work, family, friends, health – there are so many important things to think about, but the most important thing is always your mental health. After all, if you are feeling down, it will affect every other aspect of your life, from parenting to work! So make sure you do something every day to strengthen your mental health. This could be giving yourself the afternoon off work if you are feeling tired and upset, or it could be as simple as reading a positive affirmations book. Either way, it is important to make your needs a priority
4. Use A Daily Planner
You can also mentally declutter by buying a daily planner. Use the daily planner to write down your to-do list, as well as daily achievements you are proud of (such as bonding with your toddler, or completing a difficult work project). This means you will have more headspace for things you actually enjoy, and the affirmations will help to boost your mood and self-confidence.
5. Ground Yourself In The Moment
Do you regularly suffer from anxiety or insomnia? If so, you could try grounding yourself in the moment. Think about four things you can see and touch, and then focus on breathing and listening to your environment for at least five minutes. This will help you to be more present in the moment, which can reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.
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