4 Steps To A Better Mental Detox

by Emily Green January 14, 2021

If your brain has been feeling like a web browser with too many tabs open, or if even the thought of one more thing to remember is threatening to overheat and shut down the hectic mess that is your mental state, know you’re not alone. With much of your mental capacity being occupied by the joys, stressors, and craziness of the season, it’s easy to put your well-being on the back burner. This is why there’s no better time to take stock of your mental health than the New Year. Not giving your mind a break only heightens anxious thought patterns, causing decreased productivity and increased feelings of being overwhelmed. Take this time of newness and potential for change as an opportunity for self-reflection. How have you been feeling mentally and emotionally? Is it time for a mental detox? Be intentional about how you clear the spaces of your mind and truly focus on supporting your mental health as the New Year begins.

Set Digital Boundaries

Social media and smart devices are great resources for connection and information, but they can also be massive sources of stress and anxiety. Research suggests that limiting social media use to around 30 minutes a day can drastically improve well-being. Creating a digital detox and realigning how you spend your down-time is essential when conducting a mental detox. Be realistic with your goals. Designating specific digital-free times such as during meals and after 9 pm is a great way to ease into it. Removing apps on your phone or moving them off the home screen, setting scheduled email check times, and turning off notifications are also beneficial ways to drastically reduce digital use.

We also suggest dedicating one day a week to relax and explore with no internet or tech (it’s possible, we promise). Get outside, explore nature, be active, enjoy all life has to offer when you’re not distracted by a screen.

Not only will a digital detox boost your mental health, but scientific studies show that taking a break from the digital world increases your attention span, boosts productivity, and improves sleep habits.

Embrace The Stillness

The physical and mental benefits of meditation are overwhelming, but that doesn’t make starting or sticking to the practice any easier. Being mindful of your body and surroundings is a fantastic way to detect and act upon stress in your life. Mindful meditation might seem daunting, but it can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths and clearing your mind for an instant mental boost. Taking the time to document what you’re grateful for each day is also a noteworthy way to start incorporating meditation into your daily life.

Mantra meditation is an empowering way to break through mental blocks and stressful situations. Studies show it could even help improve brain health . Try using mantras such as “I’m stronger than my anxieties” and other words of strength and encouragement to build yourself up.

Make Time For Mindful Movement

Yoga is another fantastic form of mindful meditation that helps to achieve a peaceful state of mind. Be sure to protect your delicate mental space with the mood-enhancing benefits of yoga . Slow things down with restorative yoga. This practice focuses on holding poses for longer periods to help the mind and body deeply relax. Supported child’s pose, legs up the wall, and corpse pose are good poses to try when looking to de-stress and clear your mind. All of these poses can be enhanced with the support of a yoga bolster for a deeper, more restorative practice.

Clean Your Space

Mental and physical cleanses work in tandem; when your surroundings are clearer, so is your mind. Consider donating old and unused belongings, cleaning out your fridge, tidying up your living space, or rearranging your furniture. Do whatever you need to do to make your physical space feel more welcoming and peaceful. Your mind will follow.