5 Ways to Clear Mental Clutter

Easy Ways to Weed Out Unnecessary Thoughts & Worries
Filed Under > Health & Wellness

May marks Mental Health Month.  But before I go any further, I must admit to you all…up until recently I would have immediately tuned out anything with “mental health” related to it.  I would have dismissed it because I didn’t think it had anything to do with me.  But the more I’ve read about wellness, living intentionally and being more present, I’ve found that learning about mental health and finding ways to improve it (whether that’s through big improvements or adopting small habits) is something that should be on all of our minds. 

Mental clutter is a lot different than physical clutter (which we recently addressed thanks to MKR’s March read of Marie Kondo’s bestselling book).  Mental clutter can be linked to anxiety, poor time management, procrastination and stress, and it can wreak havoc on our creativity, productivity and every day outlook.  It’s exactly as it sounds: all that junk floating around in your head, disrupting your routine and bogging you down with detrimental thoughts.  

Like pretty much anyone reading this, I had to admit that I’m guilty of letting my thoughts and worries run rampant, sometimes causing me to lose sleep or pick a fight with a loved one.  I read a great piece on Fast Company the other day which shared 5 ways we can “rest and digest” the mind to counteract all of the distractions we face in a day.  It got me thinking about simple changes I can implement in my day-to-day routine to help clear my own mental clutter, like putting my iPhone down more often (understatement of the year).  I’ve listed them in the slideshow above, but I’d love for you to share any additional ways you’re able to do the same.  Cheers, Kat

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Reschedule Unnecessary Tasks

Reschedule Unnecessary Tasks

Step back and ask yourself what is REALLY necessary to accomplish today. Focus on the important task(s) and reschedule the rest. By learning how to say no, you empower yourself to call the shots on your schedule (and stress). If saying no is hard for you (like it is for many), check out these great tips.

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VIA GLITTER GUIDE, BY DULCET CREATIVE
Tackle One Important Task at a Time

Tackle One Important Task at a Time

Scientific research suggests that only 2% of the population can multi-task properly. As we try to do many things at once, we're actually a lot less productive with the tasks we have on our to-do lists. Seems straight-forward enough, but it always helps to have a reminder of this in order to cut down on the extra junk racing around in your head.

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VIA WAITING ON MARTHA, BY RUSTIC WHITE
Take Several Deep Breaths

Take Several Deep Breaths

Don't forget the power of deep breathing. Think long, deep breaths that sound like the ocean.
In the Fast Company article, Scott Eblin points out how deep breathing can be done wherever and whenever you wish, making it one of the simplest ways to get your mind back on track. I especially loved this thought: "Breathing is like doing reps in the gym for your biceps. The more reps you do, the stronger you are. Paying attention to your breathing increases the attention muscle in brain."

VIA WAITING ON MARTHA, PHOTO BY KATHRYN MCCRARY
Put the Cell Phone Away

Put the Cell Phone Away

It's easy to get wrapped up in the status updates, notifications and messages. But by putting your phone down, you are able to not only be more present in the moment, but also more productive with less distractions that lead to the mental clutter.

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VIA THE TEACHER DIVA
Find Time Alone

Find Time Alone

By allowing yourself to have alone time, you give your mind the chance to wander in unconscious thought and reset. Our worlds are becoming increasingly faster and noisier, and finding comfort in solitude can help keep the mind clear of clutter.

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VIA THE PETTICOAT
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Featured image, Dulcet Creative via Glitter Guide

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  • This post is really timely for me, since I’ve been struggling with a lots of mental clutter lately. I try to put down my phone as often as possible, and having a dedicated “me” time helps a ton as well, so I’m excited to give your other tips a whirl. Thanks for the inspiring read!

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