Declutter your mind to improve, strengthen mental health

How do you think your brain is functioning these days? Are you operating with clarity and creativity? Are you feeling energized or lethargic? All of these are connected to mental health.

Just as your house or workspace can become cluttered and overwhelming, so can your mind. This creates negative consequences for you on a mental, emotional and physical level. All these aspects of self are interrelated and impact one another. Your mind, emotions and physical body are in constant conversation.

So, what are some strategies you can use to declutter for better mental health?

■ Get clarity by writing about your thoughts and emotions. Keeping things in your head can quickly become confusing and distorted. Seeing your thoughts and feelings in writing can help you get clear. Then you make better choices.

■ Use the practice of mindfulness to perform one task at a time. When you attempt to multitask, you lose focus and momentum. It’s easy to become mentally overwhelmed and scattered when trying to do multiple things at once. It also leads to burnout.

■ Rest. Take breaks throughout the day. Enjoy bigger breaks by retreating from the world. Turn off the noise and stimulation. Move from constant doing to a state of being more often.

■ Release bad habits. With the organic energies of spring in the air, you may find it easier to release patterns that sabotage your success.

■ Get organized and declutter your physical space. Having messes everywhere can be very stressful. Not being able to locate an item in a timely way can create frustration. Creating spaciousness habitually helps a lot.

If you’re currently feeling mentally strong, engaging in these practices preventively can help you avoid mental health issues. This is an investment in your well-being and doesn’t require a large amount of time or money.