— Reset Your Mind —
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Have you ever felt like your brain is a tangled ball of yarn, with chaotic thoughts crisscrossing all over the place? I can assure you, you’re not alone! Life is hectic at times and it can feel overwhelming. It’s those hectic times where your mind becomes a tangled mess. To deal with the overwhelming feelings, you’ve got to be able to reset your mind. In this blog post, we’re going to discuss the different ways you can rest and reset that mind of yours. We’ll explore some simple and effective techniques that’ll help you untangle your thoughts and feel less stressed. Whether it is that big to do list at work or the mayhem of general life that is getting to you, these techniques will clear your mind so that you feel energised and stay resilient.
What does it mean to reset your mind?
Resetting your mind means taking intentional steps to clear mental clutter, reduce stress, and regain focus. The process involves practicing techniques that promote relaxation, mindfulness, and emotional release, helping you step away from daily stress and re-look at how you’re thinking. Once you reset your mind, you’ll have more energy and have a more balanced perspective.
The Importance of Resetting Your Mind
Having the ability to reset your mind might not seem necessary, but it definitely is. The necessity of this skill becomes more apparent the older you get. When you enter new stages of life like your University years, starting your career or even starting a family, it can feel full on and overwhelming. As you enter each new stage, you learn that their are more effective ways of dealing with the craziness (and the stress that comes with it). Being able to reset your mind is a valuable skill to have during these times. It’s great to rely on self-focused techniques that reset your mind because they can help you feel lighter, happier and less stressed without seeking external support and relying on others. Resetting your mind is important for your mood and your wellbeing!
There are so many benefits to resetting your mind too! When you are stressed or overwhelmed, your mind feels stuffed full of thoughts. That tangled mess of thoughts really does take a toll on you. Resetting your mind undoes that. After you reset your mind, you are able to give yourself clarity. A clearer mind leads to improved focus and productivity, reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep, better decision making, and it gives you more control in regulating your emotions. Those are some seriously good benefits!
Knowing When You Need a Mental Reset
Let’s face it, we all have those days when it feels like our brain has run a marathon without training. You try to focus, but your thoughts just run wild. It’s super tiring, and it’s what we call mental fatigue. The exhaustion and lack of productivity caused by this forces your brain to beg for rest. When you brain is having to ask for help and some rest, you need to listen! It’s important to recognise these moments because if you keep pushing through, you’ll only end up with a grumpier version of yourself. That’s the last thing we want! Recognising when you need a mental reset is a very important step in taking care of yourself.
Knowing whether or not you need a mental reset requires some introspection. Introspection is when you assess your mental processes and wellbeing. It’s important to practice this because it helps you become more self-aware. Being aware of when you are mentally exhausted and overwhelmed will help you in knowing what to do with yourself. Trudging on through frustrating and tiring times is not what your body needs. Having the self-awareness to make a decision like, “I’m going to set aside some time to reset my mind” is very important.
The 7 Ways You Can Reset Your Mind
These are the techniques you need to use when you need a mental reset:
1) Find a Creative Outlet
Getting creative is a wonderful way to reset your mind. As adults we tend to have less opportunities to be creative (compared to when we are children), but that is no reason we shouldn’t put on those creative caps from time to time! When we get creative we “enter a heightened state of focus and imagination”. This state of mind is exactly what will help you reset your mind. No matter the creative pursuit, you will be able to escape reality for a moment, focus on your emotions and express them in a “safe and controlled manner” (Quotes: Your Pathway to a Calmer Mind, Nekawa).
Here are some ideas for you:
Pull out the paint brushes.
Painting is a fantastic creative outlet. It allows you to express emotions and ideas visually, helping you unwind, explore your imagination, and experiment with thousands of colors and shapes!
Put pen to paper.
Writing is a powerful creative outlet for resetting your mind because it allows you to put your thoughts and emotions onto paper. It’ll help bring you clarity and calm your headspace.
Make Some Music
Music is another exciting creative outlet to help you reset your mind. Practicing an instrument, learning a new song or even just singling along to a tune helps alleviate stress and will bring you some joy!
2) Priortise Physical Activity
Exercise should be one of your key priorities when attempting to reset your mind. When you move your body, whether that is going for a run, lifting some weights, or stretching, your habits will help you to clear your mind. Exercise will release endorphins (you know, those feel good chemicals) in your brain, and they’re like keys to unveiling your mind’s reset button. Physical activity also creates a meditative effect, allowing you to step away from daily worries and stresses to simply focus on the present. Plus, exercise helps to improve your energy levels and sleep quality – two very important factors in maintaining a clear and balanced mind.
Here are a couple of exercises for you to consider:
Yoga
Take it from me – Yoga is a challenge! Don’t let that put you off though! It’s great because yoga combines gentle movements with focused breathing, and this helps reset your mind. Try poses like Child’s Pose, Downward-Facing Dog, or the Lotus Position (YOGABODY, Lucas Rockwood). This’ll help so much in releasing tension, stress and improve flexibility.
Try a HIIT workout
If you prefer something more high energy, then HIIT (high intensity interval training) is a great choice. It involves short bursts of intense exercise followed by brief rest periods. This type of workout requires you to concentrate on the task at hand, which helps clear your mind of all other distractions. Plus, the endorphin rush from such intense workouts is awesome!
3) Get Lost in Nature
Spending time in nature is a powerful way to reset your mind. The soothing sights and sounds of nature have this unexplainable calming effect that can melt away stress and other overwhelming feelings. What’s so amazing about getting lost in nature is that it disconnects you from the constant noise and demands of everyday life. All the thoughts and worries in your mind suddenly seem insignificant. Nature has this way of grounding you, and that’ll help your mind reset. The fresh air and greenery will help you feel relaxed and energised!
Here’s a few ideas:
Keep it simple – go for a stroll
Going for a walk (or a hike if you’re up to it) in nature offers a refreshing escape. You can immerse yourself in the calming sights and sounds of the outdoors so that your mind has the perfect chance to reset.
Escape for some camping
Pack a bag and your tent, and leave all the rest behind. Camping is an excellent way to get lost in nature. Find a peaceful environment where you can just kick your feet up, relax and rejuvinate.
Grab a kayak or canoe
The gentle rhythm of paddling through waters will help clear your mind. It might not be something you have tucked away in the garage, and in that case, there’s plenty of places around which you could rent a canoe or kayak from. Whether you’re adventuring to different bay spots or going down a river, there is something so serene about being connected with the water.
4) Form a ‘Reset Routine’
Creating a reset routine is like giving your mind a reliable pit stop to refuel and recharge. By implementing consistent activities or rituals in your schedule, you can provide your brain signals to pause, unwind, and let go of stress. For example, you could start to fit in a 10 minute session of meditation in your mornings and ensure your read a novel for 30 minutes at night. These 2 things help you to rest and reset your mind at the beginning and end of your days. Meditation helps you get rid of stress and cope with negative emotions, while reading a fictional story helps you escape reality for a moment. Of course, there are hundreds of other activities you could bring into your reset routine. Make sure it’s tailored specifically for you! The repetition of actions will help train your brain to shift from a busy mindset to a relaxed state, reducing the build-up of mental clutter over time. A reset routine not only clears your mind but will also give you a sense of control and balance in your day.
5) Put the Digital World to the Side
That’s right! Put your phone down, close the laptop – it’s time for a digital detox! There are plenty of benefits to leaving the digital world aside. Social media plays a big role in our lives now. A huge role in fact. Even if you don’t feel the pressure to post often, there’s so many people out there which you can’t help but compare yourself too. The pressure, the comparison and the constant screen time isn’t particularly healthy. So, you may be surprised at just how good you feel once you’ve spent some hours without any technology nearby. Your digital detox will be great for you to reset your mind. Without notifications distracting you every minute, you can find some true peace and quiet. That peace and quiet is exactly what you need for a clearer mind. Another plus to all this is that you’ll have more time on your hands. With less messaging, google searching and photo taking going on, you will have more time to focus on your relationships, and most importantly yourself!
6) Take Yourself Away
Taking yourself away for a trip is another good way to reset your busy mind. Think of it like you’re hitting the pause button on your daily life, giving yourself that much needed break from routine and responsibility. The key part of this method to resetting your mind is that it’s a solo trip. When you get away by yourself, you have the opportunity to properly relax. There’s no one else around to please or cater for – just you. Whether it’s a weekend getaway to a quiet cabin or a vacation to a big city, a change of scenery can work wonders for your state of mind. A new environment stimulates your senses and encourages you to be present, reducing stress and allowing you to focus on exploring and enjoying each moment. This break from the familiar gives your mind the space to relax and reset. You’ll return to your usual surroundings with a refreshed perspective and an abundance of energy!
7) Mindfulness Activities
Mindfulness activities are going to help reset your mind by grounding you. The focus in all of these activities is to find your state of relaxation. Allow yourself to step away from that constant flow of worries. These practices encourage you to focus on your breath, immediate surroundings, and sometimes specific sensations. You’ll leave these activities with a clear mind and feeling calm. On top of that, mindfulness is known to improve your physical health and general wellbeing (Benefits of Mindfulness, HelpGuide). Engaging in these activities will be a powerful tool for resetting your mind.
Here are 3 examples of effective mindfulness techniques:
Practice mindful eating
Mindful eating is all about acknowledging each stage of the process. It might feel a little strange at first, but it’s seriously worth it. Practice this with something small at first. The common example is a bowl of raisins, though it could be anything (I won’t judge you if it’s a chocolate treat). Pay attention to everything from picking up your food to when it firsts meets your taste buds. As you get better and become a more mindful eater, you can try this with entire meals.
Conscious breathing
Conscious breathing helps reset your mind by encouraging you to focus on slow, deep breaths, which will calm your nervous system and bring you a sense of peace and clarity. Become aware of your breathing → Focus on your breathing → Adjust your breathing.
Try a ‘body scan’
A full body scan is a great mindfulness activity for resetting your mind. It’s all about slowly and consciously checking in with each part of your body, releasing tension and reaching a deep state of relaxation and awareness. You’ll move from a focus on breathing, to recognising all the sensations in each area of your body. This activity is more time consuming however, it does provide even better results. Take your time and reset your mind.
Check out Jenny Savage’s blog post on Ekhart Yoga for a more in depth description of these 3 activities.
These techniques are going to play a big part in you resetting your mind. It’s important that you take care of yourself and invest in yourself. Resetting your mind is crucial to self-care and your well-being. So, why not get started on one of these activities today?
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