How to “Spring Clean” Your Mind
Spring cleaning your living space is important, as is “spring cleaning” your mind. You can improve your mood and well-being by developing healthy habits for your mind.
By creating a list of aspects you’d like to improve on, you can begin developing habits toward those goals. Think about how you’re sleeping; your energy levels; if you’re feeling anxious, nervous or hopeless; and how you feel about yourself in general. Learn how to “spring clean” your mind toward a healthier you by reading the tips below.
Whether you need to see a dentist, doctor or counselor, visiting a specialist in the field you need to improve on will help your mind feel at ease. Their expert opinion will provide you with peace of mind, as well as marking an item off your mental health checklist.
By participating in an activity you enjoy, your mind and body will feel at ease and comfortable which can give you serenity. By gardening, playing a sport, volunteering for an organization you support, or picking up a hobby that you haven’t done in a while can lead to your anxiety lessening, improved mood through social interaction and better sleep patterns.
By eating healthy foods and drinking water regularly, your body and mind will feel nourished and relaxed. By limiting your processed foods and alcohol consumption, your body will feel less sluggish and anxious. What we put into our bodies often effects how we feel and think, so it’s important to give your body the nutrients it needs.
To help yourself not feel overwhelmed, create a to-do list or a calendar for yourself to stay organized. This will help keep your work and personal life separate, so you know what to focus on. Plus, if you have more than one person in your household, you can all stay on the same page so appointments, extra-curricular activities or meetings are not missed.
Take some time just for yourself to relax and think about what you accomplished that day. From eating a healthy lunch to completing a large project at work, it doesn’t matter how big or small the accomplishment was; it matters that you’re giving yourself a pat on the back for doing something you needed to do.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need to talk to someone, contact Mercy’s Mercy EAP at (319) 398-6575 to schedule a video, phone or in-person appointment.
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