Now is the perfect time to re-evaluate important facets in your life. Most people like to use it to declutter their homes, but consider taking it a step further and detox and declutter your entire life. This includes the areas concerning your mind and soul.
There are 10 things you can do to clear your life of inertia and toxicity and make way for blessings and positivity:
- Clear your social circle.
We pick up many different people throughout our life, and sometimes we need to redefine our social circle. Namely, we need to get rid of toxic people and spend more time with positive people and cheer you on. Toxic people may not just be friends but could be family too. While we can’t disregard family completely, we can distance them and keep them from daily life and business. You will find that doing this will lower the drama and lower your stress. Positivity breeds positivity, so hanging out with optimistic and supportive people will do much for your soul.
- Take time out for a walk.
Walking daily will not only help you physically and build your heart but will reduce stress and clear your head. Want to make it even better? Walk outdoors. Find a local park or a hiking trail. Stanford University released a study in 2015 that indicated a 90-minute walk or hike in nature left people happier, relaxed and lowered their risk of depression.
- Declutter your home.
It will surprise you how much this one thing can work wonders to relax you. If the thought of a complete overhaul causes more stress, try it one project at a time. Start with your closet. Doing one project could motivate you to choose another; soon, you will be living in an improved environment for you to enjoy.
- Limit your social media, tech, and phone.
Numerous studies show that high use of social media and cell phones causes depression and narcissism. Plus, scrolling through all your social pages is a time-waster than can be spent taking a class or picking up a hobby. Along with limiting social media, also look to limit phone use in general and computer use and television. All can be time wasters that keep you from being productive and distract you from important things like your family and friends. The worst social media network for mental health, according to a 2017 survey, is Instagram. It consistently made users feel depressed and anxious.
- Quit comparing.
One of the reasons for the anxiety and depression problems is that social media promotes a sense of competition amongst users. Remember, what you see isn’t always reality. It is a picture of what other people want you to believe about them and their lives. Quit comparing.
- Limit negative information.
It is crucial to keep up with things. Yet, just like it is vital to eliminate pessimistic friends, you must also purge toxic information. This means news and some entertainment shows. News can be warped depending on who is producing it. It tends to be negative. Some entertainment shows, like crime dramas, legal dramas, reality shows, and the like, can also be harmful. This is too much for your brain to handle if you are trying to remain positive. There is a saying, “garbage in, garbage out.” What you put into your brain matters. Choose wisely to input things that help you live a better life rather than negative information.
- Learn to cook and improve your diet.
Having a healthy diet will do wonders for your outlook, brain function, and productivity. Incorporate more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and other good things. Along with that, learn to cook these things and try new items. Getting creative with a recipe, whether it is your grandmother’s green bean casserole or a new one using a vegetable you never even heard of, will get your creative juices flowing. It will help you learn to love good food too. Don’t forget to treat yourself occasionally. Bake that banana nut bread!
- Do something just for you.
People tend to put themselves on the backburner for families, friends, or work. Take some time out to do something just for yourself. That can be an at-home facial, time for yoga, a spa day, or a class that you’ve always wanted to try. It could be putting on your favorite music for an hour. Whatever it is, take time to enjoy your moment.
- Be quiet.
The world is filled with noise, from television and live streaming to people constantly expressing their opinions. It’s okay to be quiet for a while. Fred Rogers, the well-known personality of Mister Rogers Neighborhood, often had quiet moments during his show. That was unheard of in television, even today. He said it was okay to have a moment of stillness. So, give yourself permission to take hit pause, it’s okay. Some people like to meditate, and others pray. Some read the scripture of their faith, while others read poetry. However, you spend your quiet time, get away for a few minutes during the day to enjoy peace.
- Prioritize rest.
People today, as proven by several clinical studies, don’t get enough rest. So, we push it, staying up late to work, watching a movie, going out, and even remaining on the phone or computer. A lack of rest will make your head foggy and drain your energy. This can lead to irritability, bad decisions, and an overall a lack of motivation. Start valuing your rest. Make it a priority because your health is a priority. Go to bed at a set time every night. Set a nighttime routine to wind down. Don’t get on your phone or computer after 8 p.m, and never take your technology to bed.
Making changes in your life isn’t easy, but it is essential to your overall health and mental state and your spiritual being. Don’t feel like you have to modify yourself completely overnight. You can implement one change every few days, so things feel less imposing. Doing lifestyle and behavior modification will detox your life and make you more relaxed, happier, and less stressed. Seize this moment, and begin your journey towards a more organized and peaceful life today!