“Your mind was meant to be a factory (not a warehouse)” ~ Mike Vardy
I love this quote as I think it perfectly describes how our minds are creative and love to come up with new ideas, but they don’t do so well with storing ‘to do’ lists and other day-to-day information.
I often speak with busy people during my stress management sessions who have a hundred things they need to do that day crammed into their head – it can make their mind feel foggy and their body feel tense.
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A nice quick fix for this is to simply get those thoughts out of your head and find a way to record them externally. This could be in the form of good old fashioned pen and paper… post-it notes… word document… excel sheet… or one of a variety of apps that are available these days.
This simple intervention can really bring your stress levels down.
Here are some more simple ways to keep your mind clear, focused and stress-free:
- Prioritise: Start each day with a simple to-do list. Outline 3 tasks which are worthy of your time and energy.
- Don’t be tempted to multitask. Stick to one thing at a time and avoid getting distracted on the next shiny thing.
- Keep your physical space uncluttered. A clear space gives you the feeling of having it all under control.
- Take regular breaks: go for a stroll, have a stretch, get a glass of water, have a bite to eat, go and stand out in the garden barefoot – or even just gaze out of the window for a while and do some deep breathing. These mini-breaks will help to reset your mind and relax your body
- Set digital boundaries: there are so many ways everyone can gain access to your attention these days. Make it harder for them! Turn off notifications, put your phone on ‘do not disturb’, or leave it locked in a cupboard upstairs if you really can’t resist the temptation to check in 😉
- And last but not least – remember to get enough sleep. When you’re fully rested your mind will stay focused and clear for much longer.
I hope you like these tips. If you’d prefer some one-to-one professional support to reduce stress, anxiety or anger, then click below to book a consultation and find out how I can help.
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