Clear Mind, Simple Steps: Establishing Routines That Actually Work
Let's face it: when life becomes hectic, our minds
frequently seem like a browser with 47 tabs open. Everything is running;
nothing is really running well; and we have no idea how to shut those we don't
want.
Mental clarity was something that just occurred to other
people, I used to believe. Those people who seem to slide through their day
with purpose while I'm over here forgetting why I came into the kitchen for the
third time.
But what I have come to understand is that mental clarity is
not a character trait. It is a talent. And like any ability, it develops with
the proper practice.
Begin your day before
your day starts you.
Your morning's first hour establishes the tone for all else.
I'm not referring of some complex 5 AM regimen including meditation cushions
and green smoothies.
Instead of instantly overwhelming it with notifications,
news, and to-do lists, I am referring about letting your brain have a soft
waking.
Before you check your phone, spend five minutes quietly
sitting. Perhaps with coffee; perhaps just breathing. Let your mind recall what
it feels like to be calm before the world begins demanding things from it.
Write it down; free
it.
Your mind was not meant to serve as a storage capacity. From
grocery lists to work deadlines to that thing your friend mentioned last week,
you are using up. Mental energy that might be directed toward what really
counts.
Use the notes app on your phone or keep a basic notepad.
Write down immediately anything that pops into your mind that you need to
remember later. Avoid counting on your recall of it. Simply free it from your
brain onto paper.
Being organized isn't the main focus here even if it happens
to be a good secondary benefit. It's about letting go of mental room so you may
consider what's in front of you right now with clarity.
The Magic of
Undergoing Single Tasking
We deceive ourselves with multitasking. Actually, we are
fast task switching, and every change costs us mental energy. It's like
continually resetting your computer; every item takes longer and performs
worse.
Do one thing at once instead. Just eat lunch when you're
eating lunch. Simply be in the meeting when you are at one. Just scroll when
you are looking through social media (we all do it), don't try to respond to
emails as well.
When you cease trying to simultaneously think about
everything, you will be astonished how much more lucid your mind gets.
Get your head clear,
move your body.
Becoming a fitness influencer is not required. You simply
have to go. Get a walk around the block. Do some stretches. Dance to one tune
in your living area.
Everything including our thoughts begins to feel stuck when
we sit still for too long. Movement gets your blood flowing and often helps
unstick whatever you've been overthinking.
Walks provide some of my best ideas not because I'm trying
to fix issues but instead because I'm letting my brain roam.
Design Transition
Rites
Mental chaos arises in between events. After a work call, you start answering emails right away, then rush to get groceries, then attempt to assist your child with homework while considering what to prepare for supper.
Little surprise
everything seems overpowering.
Mark the close of one thing and the start of another by
means of small rituals. Before beginning a fresh assignment, take three deep
breaths. Get up only after counting ten; close your computer. When you arrive
from work, consciously wash your hands.
These short pauses let your brain process and reset rather than bearing stress from one task onto the next.
Finish Your Day
Consciously
Like your daily schedule, how you wrap your day counts.
Thirty minutes before bed, try to unwind from the demands of the day.
This could involve storing away gadgets, jotting three good
things down, or just sitting quietly for a few minutes. The aim is to let your
brain know the day is over and it's time to sleep.
Keep It Real, Keep It
Simple
The ideal schedule is the one you will really carry out.
Don't attempt to totally change your life overnight. Choose one little item and
perform it daily for seven days. Add another tiny item then perhaps.
One's mental clarity is not about perfection. Creating a
little more distance between you and the turmoil helps you to react to life
rather than just react to it.
Your head is already clear; it simply needs an opportunity to remember what that feels like.
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