As someone who struggles with anxiety, I often have moments where I wish I could remove all the thoughts and emotions from my head, give them a good wash until they're squeaky clean, and put nice thoughts back in my head - A laundry day for emotions, if you will. Just like a detox for your physical body, clearing out impurities from your mind ensures you are functioning at a healthier capacity. The aim of a mental detox isn't to completely cut out negative feelings, but to cleanse out thoughts that don't feed any purpose.
1. Be aware of what you're thinking and feeling
This is something I'm tying to be better at, but is harder than it sounds. If you find that your thoughts spiral out of control, try to distinguish them, and be aware of why you might be feeling sad, stressed, uncomfortable or overwhelmed. Awareness helps you understand yourself more and gain back control, and gives you the space you need to work on these feelings. Do not try to distract yourself or push it back, but start to notice it and question it - Where is it coming from? Why am I feeling like this? Be curious.
2. Put pen to paper
If you're struggling to find the cause of these negative thoughts, or you want to understand them better, start journaling about what you're experiencing. This is a practise I picked up on at the start of the year, and it's something that has really improved the way I cope, and has helped me to stay more focused. Give yourself 20 minutes or so to put away your phone and other distractions, and freely write whatever you're thinking. It's a space where there is no judgement. You'll be surprised to realise that we are much better at knowing how to heal ourselves than others do.
3. Make a plan of action
Now that you've recognised the cause, it's time to come up with a plan of action for the next time these thoughts arise. Maybe next time you doubt yourself, you reflect on all of your accomplishments and how far you've come. Next time you're angry, you go for a run as a way of re-channeling that energy. It's not about avoiding negative emotions, but rather about acknowledging them and finding healthier ways to cope with these.
4. Give your mind a break
Taking the time for yourself is so important. I don't mean bingeing a Netflix show, but giving your mind a break by investing time in doing something you love, whether it be reading a book, baking, drawing, or any other hobby you're passionate about. It's about finding a balance between relieving your mind of negativity, whilst focusing on something productive.
5. Forgive yourself
A big way to tackle your negative self-talk is to forgive yourself. We tend to be our own harshest critic. Do not give yourself a hard time for feeling anxious. Be kind to yourself, and show yourself the kind of empathy and understanding that you would show your loved ones. Your negative thoughts are a way of identifying the emotions and feelings that do serve you. It's about understanding yourself. While you're being kind to yourself, forgive others too. It's a way of freeing your mind of the past painful emotions.
Your mind deserves the same kind of love that your body does. By learning how to cope with these thoughts and detoxing the negativity, you'll be creating space for positive experiences. Your mind is your greatest power - It all begins and ends with our thoughts, and we all have the ability to control them in a way that serves us.
Love,
Neth
xo
