Spring Cleansing Tips For The Mind

Spring is a time for renewal and cleansing. This is why we spring clean our things, as simplifying, decluttering, and reorganizing can give us a fresh start. Out with the old and in with the new. We can also apply this to our health routines -- like our mental health! If you're like us and often feel bogged down by the stressors and overwhelm of daily life, follow our simple tips for cleansing your brain to add a bit more pep to your step this spring.

Why You Should Detox Your Mind

Our brains take on A LOT every single day from the era of digital overload and the business of our lives. This can build up mental and emotional toxins, which are important to release. Getting rid of mind clutter can help you reenergize your routine and mindset, and assess what is and isn't working in your life. To help you get started with tidying up the brain chaos, try these 8 tips. 

Prioritize Sleep 

Did you know that when we sleep, our brain flushes out toxins that we've accumulated during the day? In fact, sleep is one of the best ways to cleanse and detox the brain. When we don't get enough high quality deep sleep, we're more susceptible to weakened immunity, memory issues, weight gain, high blood pressure, mood changes and more. See our tips for getting a good night's rest here. 

Limit Digital Consumption 

The more you fill your brain with images from social media, the news, work emails, etc. the more our brains become overloaded. This inhibits us from focusing on critical tasks.  To help minimize your digital consumption  unsubscribe and unfollow social media that is not serving you. Set time limits on social media and news apps and try to limit your screen time overall. Minimizing screen time will give you time in your day to focus on helpful brain activities such as fun hobbies like cooking or playing music and even incorporating mindfulness and meditation into your routine.

Make an Effort To Exercise

Exercise doesn't just help us stay physically fit, it helps our brain function too! in fact, creating health habits around exercise earlier in life is linked to improved cognitive abilities as we age. Getting a move on also reduces levels of the body's stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, while it simultaneously stimulates the production of endorphins -- chemicals in the brain that are the body's natural painkillers and mood elevators. Even if it's a short walk or Youtube workout, something is better than nothing. 

Focus On Real Foods 

A healthy diet helps keep a healthy mind and a healthy mind contributes to a healthy gut. The mind gut connection is very real -- in fact, most of your Serotonin ( a feel-good hormone) is produced in your gut! Putting good foods into your system helps protect you against toxins and inflammation and will give you sustainable energy that will make you feel great too! Learn more about how to fuel your brain here. 

Enhance Positive Thinking 

If you really pay attention, you'll notice how many negative thoughts swarm your brain every day. Life if already hard and the things that we tell ourselves can absolute affect how we operate, either negatively or positively. To help require your brain to think less pessimistically, practice thinking positive thoughts on a consistent basis. The more you repeat a positive affirmation to replace a negative one, the more you'll help to cleanse your brain of negativity. It takes mindfulness and lots of practice but you can do it. 

Schedule Time Outdoors Without Technology 

Nature is very therapeutic, especially for our brain and central nervous system. Schedule some time to be in nature without technology (not even music), to give your mind a break from the crazy constant stimulus. Breathing in fresh air, listening to the sounds of nature and absorbing the positive ions in a forest will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Read our blog about forest bathing here. 

Meditate Or Practice Deep Breathing

There are incredible benefits from meditating. If you're new to meditation, considering downloading an app and start with some guided meditation practices every day. You can also do some deep breathing exercises to help calm and cleanse your mind. Even a minute or two or deep breathing will help to keep your mind chatter at bay. Read our deep breathing exercise tips here. 

Write It Down In a Journal

Take a moment at the end of the day to simply write down all of the thoughts and feelings that you are experiencing. Unloading all the chaos in your head onto paper, will prevent it from weighing heavy on your mind. When you’re finished, take a few cleansing breaths and reset your attention on your intention for the new season, a fresh perspective and a fresh start. 

In By Inch, Life's a Cinch

Try all of some of these steps to help cleanse your brain this spring. If it's too overwhelming to incorporate all of these steps into your routine, just focus on honing in on one or two. The purpose is to ease stress and overwhelm in your brain, not add to it. 

Happy spring and happy cleansing! Cheers to a fresh season and a fresh start.