Seven-Step Mental Detox
By Good Therapy
Learning how to go on a true mental detox involves decluttering your mind to increase feelings of peace and rest. With the age of technology, social media, and on-the-go mindsets, achieving true peace-of-mind, where you feel rested and renewed, can feel extremely difficult at times. With so much filling the space in your mind or feeling like you cannot turn off your brain, you might feel increased feelings of anxiety or worry. Keep reading to learn how to go on a true mental detox.
BE INTENTIONAL
With so much to do in so little time, it is easy to forget your drive and purpose for why you are doing certain things. Learning how to go on a true mental detox should involve increased intention in every move you make. Setting your intention at the start of each day and before you enter into any activity or decision can help you think more clearly. It can remind you of what your goals are and help keep your thoughts organized as you move forward.
START GETTING OUT AND ACTIVE
Taking yourself out of your normal environment can be a great tool when learning how to go on a true mental detox. Getting outdoors in a quiet environment can help you feel connected to the world around you. Staying active and healthy can help you achieve higher energy levels to accomplish your goals with less stress and anxiety.
MINIMIZE THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY
Technology and social media are two of the biggest culprits in the cluttering and disorganization of our minds and our attention when learning how to go on a true mental detox. The need to constantly perform, receive attention, or engage in an activity can make it much harder for us to achieve genuine rest. As you lay down or look for something to do on your day off, try to avoid social media or even taking pictures of whatever it is you are doing. By doing this, you can start to learn how to go on a true mental detox and feel truly present.
MEDITATION* and PRAYER
A great way to center yourself is to spend time practicing meditation or prayer depending on your background. Focusing on healthy breath patterns** and positive self-affirmations can be a great way to find your focus and teach you how to go on a true mental detox. The discipline of regular meditation or prayer can help you find ways to stay calm throughout your daily life.
EXPRESS YOUR FRUSTRATIONS
Keeping things walled up inside your mind can quickly lead to increased levels of anxiety or other serious mental health issues. Finding ways to healthily vent about or express the things that frustrate you can help you release those things from your mind. While it is ok to vent to someone you trust, something as simple as “junk journaling” can be an extremely healthy way to release frustrations when learning how to go on a true mental detox.
SELF-REFLECT
Taking the time to self-reflect and determine what is important to you is valuable when learning how to go on a true mental detox. Take time during your week to evaluate what relationships, objects, activities, and environments hold emotional and mental weight in your life. Take your analysis and use it to determine what things you might need to release in order to achieve happiness or peace.
CONSIDER THERAPY
While many of these steps can be extremely useful in your search for mental clarity and peace, there is much more you can do. Partnering with a mental health provider and going to therapy is one of the best ways to learn how to go on a true mental detox. By working with a professional, you can learn new ways to address key areas in your life and work through cluttered areas in your mind.
*to learn more about the benefits of meditation, read our blog post “Is Meditation Healthy?”.
**Beautiful Minds suggests the 4-7-8 breathing exercise to reduce stress and anxiety.
GoodTherapy connects people with therapists and counselors, rehab and residential treatment centers, and mental health resources. This article was originally posted on their website at GoodTherapy.com. It is reposted with permission.
