Spring Cleaning the Mind

Spring Cleaning for the Mind

Spring is, of course, the traditional time for cleaning out various corners of the house. It can simultaneously be an opportunity to refresh your personal intentions and attitudes. Just as you might peer into a long-neglected closet, you may also see the need to clear some cranial space and reorganize your thoughts. Here are tips on ways to tidy up the gray matter this season.

• Make a list of your clutter. Make a list of the things in life that have been nagging at you, in addition to things you’ve been thinking about doing soon. Are you holding onto a grudge against someone? Have you procrastinated on a needed home improvement project? Do you need to get back in touch with a friend or relative with whom you haven’t talked in some time?
• Assign action steps. Once you’ve identified some “corners” that need cleaning, devise corresponding actions to take. This could be as simple as, “Call Aunt Amanda,” or “Visit the home center for ideas on the new paved pathway,” or “Let go of the angst over the ____ college basketball team loss!”
• Prioritize your plans. Take a look at your brainstormed list and affix numerals to each item in order of priority for your life today. This will help you get the important things done efficiently.
• Forgive and forget. If your clutter list includes relationships in which you’ve been holding onto resentment, try some forgiveness. Could the person with whom you’re angry have been going through something difficult personally? Consider the other person’s side. Purposefully letting go of anger removes the power that an old dispute can have over your thoughts and emotions.
• Clean out your mental space. Spring is a good time to find some new internal balance. Venturing into new creative space can help. Try a new hobby. Read a new book. Take a continuing education course. Listen to some unfamiliar music or take up a musical instrument.
• Do some digital detoxification. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by excessive input, set aside some non-screen times. For example, turn off electronic devices an hour before bedtime. Keep the phone away from the dinner table. Take a weekend day off from the phone, computer and TV.
• Go greener. Now that spring has sprung, it’s much easier to have time outside—so be sure to get out there and enjoy nature with the family. Your stress levels will decrease as the fresh air, vitamin D-producing sunlight and greener environments give you a physical and mental boost.
• Refresh your routines. If you’re still living on autopilot left over from the winter months, shake up your routine with new activities. Adopt new habits such as taking a walk with your partner after dinner each night, or fitting mindful mini-breaks into your workday. Take different routes to and from work. Ride a bike or walk to any nearby destination to which you usually drive.