Have you ever felt like your mind and soul needed some detoxing? If so, you’re not alone! Today we are overstimulated by the flood of information that surrounds us daily, and in today’s fast-paced lifestyle, many of us don’t take the time to give our bodies the rest and relaxation it needs to restore our minds and souls to their optimal levels of performance. In this article, I will be giving you 10 methods you can use to cleanse your mind and soul from all the toxins that accumulate within them on a daily basis.
1) Drink water
This may sound obvious, but it’s one of your best detox options. Start by aiming for half your body weight in ounces each day. The Institute of Medicine determined that a healthy adult living in a temperate climate requires approximately 2 liters (about 8 cups) of total water per day, but factors such as activity level, temperature, humidity, and even pregnancy can all increase your daily requirement. If you find it difficult to down enough water (or are just really attached to something else), try alternating between non-water liquids like green tea or herbal tea instead of coffee or plain water. Or sprinkle some herbs into a hot beverage; rosemary is said to help rid toxins from blood and ginkgo biloba has been shown to have antioxidant properties.
2) Meditate
It is a proven way to reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and even help you sleep better. The practice of meditation involves sitting quietly in silence while focusing on your breathing. There are many ways to meditate—focus on one method consistently for 30 days before trying something new—but no matter which technique you choose, consistency is key. Consider setting a timer (an app like Insight Timer can even do it for you) so that you meditate for at least 10 minutes a day. Do not multitask or try to accomplish anything else during meditation; just sit still and focus on your breathing or listen to relaxing music without judgement.
3) Spend Time in Nature
Getting out into nature can help you slow down, think things through more clearly, and connect with something larger than yourself. For some, it’s a spiritual experience; for others, it’s an opportunity to engage in mindfulness practices that can make meditation less daunting. You don’t have to take a road trip or hike up a mountain to get your daily dose of nature—there are simple things you can do right in your own backyard or even right at your desk. Give your mind (and soul) a break!
4) Minimize Distractions
Being distracted by your phone or other electronic devices may be a sign that you’re running low on willpower. So, if you feel as though your willpower has been compromised—and are finding it difficult to focus on projects that need completion—it might be beneficial to clean up any distractions at hand. Try turning off your phone for an hour, eliminate all social media platforms for a set period of time, or schedule specific times during which you’ll check in with email and social media accounts. We often work best when we’re only focused on one thing at a time. Limiting multi-tasking can help us overcome distractions so we can do what needs to get done.
5) Have Quality Conversations
Most of us spend hours a day in front of our computer screens, leaving little time for interactions with other people. This leads to fewer conversations and relationships, both of which are key factors to happiness. Have a conversation with a friend or loved one, preferably one you haven’t spoken to in awhile. It doesn’t matter what you talk about—whether it’s gossip or something more serious—just that you have quality face-to-face interaction.
6) Do an Act of Kindness Every Day
Before you can get your needs met, you must first be able to say no to others when they require things of you. When we are on autopilot, we will often agree to things without really thinking them through. Because we want to keep people happy, or because we believe that agreeing right away is best, our first reaction is often to say yes without even thinking of what it might mean for us. In order to get yourself in a place where your needs are being met, learn how to say no so that you have time for yourself and time for those important things that bring fulfillment into your life.
7) Get a Massage
Taking some time to get a massage every week is a great way to reduce stress, which can have significant consequences on your health. Cortisol, known as the stress hormone in medical circles, is largely responsible for weight gain and other illnesses. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by work or home life, a weekly massage can be an effective way to relieve stress. Massages can also help alleviate tension in your muscles; do you spend hours hunched over at your desk? Schedule some time for relaxation after you get off work—you may not even want to move when it’s over! And if you think about it, committing 10 minutes per week for a rub-down is well worth it compared with what massages cost at spas and salons.
8) Say No to Others in Order to Say Yes
to Yourself
It’s easy to put off your own needs in order to help others. But it’s important to recognize that while helping others can be a positive thing, sometimes it’s more important to say no – even if you feel guilty about it. For example, maybe you agree to go out with friends on Saturday night but really just want some time alone at home. Saying yes means giving up a little time with yourself, which can result in a feeling of imbalance. And when your mental or physical health is imbalanced, that’s when toxic feelings can creep in and prevent you from experiencing life fully or living as productive of a life as possible. So how do you find balance?
9) Exercise Regularly
You may be surprised at how much just a little daily exercise can do for your mind. Even 10 minutes of light exercise, like yoga or a quick jog around your neighborhood, can work wonders. Regular exercise has been shown to relieve stress , promote relaxation, and boost your mood in ways that will leave you feeling both physically better but also emotionally lighter. No matter what sort of exercise you choose to take part in–as long as it’s mild–you’ll be amazed at how quickly you feel rejuvenated.
10) Visualize Success
No one gets through life without some struggles, setbacks, and negative interactions with others. Learning how to detox your mind is a skill you can use every day. Most people don’t realize that much of their unhappiness comes from unhelpful thoughts that can be changed by being more aware of them. Think about what’s going on in your life right now, who you surround yourself with, or where you are in life — chances are there is a connection between those things and what your mind says to you. There’s no way to escape negativity in life but it certainly helps to know which thoughts are untrue!
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