The human mind is a storehouse of thoughts, imagination, dreams and memories. That’s what makes it fascinating and special. However, the mind can be a tricky beast to master. With an endless list of things to do and the continuous influx of information entering your headspace, you may feel overwhelmed by mental clutter. This is especially true due to the barrage of news and information surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic heading your way and the added stress and anxiety due to the lockdown.
Just like a cluttered workspace hampers productivity, a cluttered mind can do the same. Essentially, the mind needs to be organised and calm to be able to filter information and get things done. And to do so, it is pertinent to clear the mental clutter that accumulates over time. Decluttering the mind helps you refresh, refocus and function in an optimal manner.
Thankfully, there are simple and effective ways to get rid of your mental clutter. You can start by using these effective tips to declutter your mind, which will help you get more done, gain clarity and stop feeling frazzled during these challenging times.
Declutter your surroundings
Physical clutter in your surroundings can often declutter your mind. With the coronavirus looming large and the need to keep our homes sanitised at all times, decluttering your physical space is the right step in the direction. The pile of paperwork lying on your desk, the unwanted clothes stuffed at the back of your closet and the boxes full of junk that you don’t need are probably all weighing you down. Clutter and disorganisation can lead to increased stress levels, which have the power to cause physical and mental harm. Also, a cluttered environment comes in the way of your relaxation and time-off. Dedicate at least 10 minutes of your day to tidying up and putting things away in their designated places. A clean living space can provide a sense of control and offer the mind and body a respite from the pandemic stress you may be facing.
Write down your thoughts
Take a few minutes every day to reflect and write down anything that is weighing on your mind. Self-reflection helps you reconnect with what matters most to you so that you can let go of everything else that doesn’t deserve your attention. Set aside a certain amount of time each day to write down your thoughts, anxieties and worries. Your tool of choice can be a diary, the notepad on your desktop or even an app on your phone. Noting down your thoughts and pent-up emotions as they occur helps you cope with stress and boost your mental health—an ideal remedy to declutter your mind during the ongoing pandemic.
Prioritise your tasks
Most of the time, a disorganised mind can be set straight by simply organising your priorities and planning your day well in advance. Without clear priorities, it is difficult to manage your time efficiently and work towards your goals. Prioritising your tasks requires you to identify and understand each task at hand. Rather than treating everything as important, priorities help you choose what you need to focus on first. Once you prioritise your tasks, you need to plan and set the time needed for each task. Prepare a daily task list with serial numbers and deadlines against each task to be marked upon completion. When you identify a particular task as a priority, you are more likely to devote undivided focus to it instead of pushing it off to a later day.
Physical clutter in our surroundings can contribute to mental clutter. By tidying up and organizing our physical space, we create a sense of control and provide our mind and body with a respite from stress, leading to a clearer mental state.
Taking a few minutes each day to reflect and write down thoughts and anxieties can help us let go of unnecessary mental burdens.
Prioritizing tasks helps us manage our time efficiently and focus on what truly matters.
Multitasking can lead to mental strain and reduced productivity. By focusing on one task at a time and allocating dedicated time slots for each task, we can enhance focus and productivity, resulting in a clearer and less cluttered mind.
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