Spring has sprung and you’ve likely thought about tackling those annual cleaning chores. But have you taken the time to clear the cobwebs from your mind? Just like our homes, our minds can become cluttered, creating confusion, distraction and stress. Here are tips to add some fresh spring air to your mental well-being.
Just breathe: Deep breathing can provide many benefits, including helping lower your heart rate and blood pressure. And concentrating on your breathing can help you break away from all the noise. To get started, sit or lie down in a quiet, comfortable area. Place one hand on your belly and the other hand on your chest, and take a slow, deep breath through your nose. The hand on your belly should rise, while the hand on your chest should not move as much. Then slowly breathe out through your mouth, feeling the hand on your belly lower while the hand on your chest remains still. Practice this breathing exercise for up to 10 minutes once or twice a day.
Jot it in a journal: Have you ever had so many thoughts racing through your head that you start to feel anxious and overwhelmed? If so, you should try journaling — check out the app store on your smartphone for easy-to-use journals. Writing your thoughts down has several benefits, including organizing your ideas and improving memory. Research indicates that the benefits of journaling might help improve other mental activities, such as the ability to better manage stress.
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Manage your media: While social media is a great way to connect with family and friends, too much time spent on it can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, loneliness and can cause us to compare ourselves to others. But don’t deactivate those accounts just yet. Simply limiting your social media to just 30 minutes a day has been shown to improve well-being.
Take a hike: Or any activity that gets you outdoors! From TV to social media, there are many things in our daily lives capturing our attention and cluttering our minds. This constant stimulation can lead to increased stress and anxiety. But taking a break from the chaos by getting some fresh air and exercise can help reduce these feelings and restore a sense of well-being.
Sources: apa.org, guilfordjournals.com, health.harvard.edu, webmd.com
Do you still need to clear your mind? We can help. Learn about mental health resources available to you.
