5 Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Mind

Spring cleaning is all about decluttering your home, but what about your mind? Some days I feel so overwhelmed by my own thoughts, and my mind feels cluttered. There should be a larger focus on clearing your mind during this season. Spring is a new start, when flowers begin to bloom and represents a time for regrowth and renewal. During the start of the spring season many people do a detox, spring clean, or begin a new fitness routine. However, cleaning and detoxing your mind is a great way to start this season feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. Below are 5 tips to help you declutter your mind.

1. Practice being present in the moment
I am constantly working on being present in the moment. It is so hard to clear your mind and let go of thoughts about chores or plans you have later in the day, week, month or year. However, I practice a mantra to help me be more present, which also helps to clear my mind of my thoughts and be focused in the present moment. The mantra I use is “the time is now, I am here.” Whenever I catch myself thinking about the future, I repeat this mantra and come back to the present moment.

2. Try new breathing techniques
Breath is so important. Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed and need to calm myself down I take a deep breath or practice alternate nostril breathing. When I come back to my breath, I let go of my thoughts and become present in the moment. There are many different breathing techniques to help destress and clear your mind. You can try bee breath, straw breath, ocean breath, or the three-part yogic breath. Try different breathing techniques to find the one you like best.

3. Start a journal 
I love journaling. I need time to process experiences, and my journal helps me to write down what happened, my feelings, analyze my thoughts and emotions, understand different perspectives, and let go of the situation. Before I started journaling I would think about a specific experience for hours or even days, it took me a while to process it in my mind. The process of writing experiences down helps me to see the situation in a new light and then I can let it go from my mind. Journaling is a great way to clean your mind daily and to better understand your thoughts and emotions.

4. Let go of negative thoughts, words and actions to yourself and others 
This was very hard for me to put into practice. I am a perfectionist, I am working on this but it is very much a work in progress, and I was my own worst critic. However, letting go of the negative inner dialogue was so freeing. I learned about letting go of negative self-talk during my yoga teacher training and it was truly life-changing. After practicing this, I saw myself in a different light and have gained so much confidence. A great way to begin this process is to create a self-love mantra. The mantra I use is “I am beautiful on the inside and out.” Whenever I looked in the mirror, had a negative thought, or felt upset with myself I said this mantra to myself. I let go of negative thoughts, words, and actions that were harmful to myself and it changed my perspective on myself and life.

5. Start a meditation practice, or if you already practice meditation dedicate more time to your practice
Meditation is a great way to clear your mind. If you’ve never tried meditating its very simple. You can be sitting, walking, laying down, or in any position that is comfortable for you. Be sure to stay awake! Then focus on your breath or if you’re walking you can focus on your steps. You can count the number of seconds in your inhale and number of seconds in each exhale. If your mind starts to wonder, just come back to your breath. Practice this for as long as is comfortable for you. Meditation is a great way to just be, and focus on your breath. 

How do you declutter your mind? Share below!