Cleaning and decluttering are so ingrained in us this time of year: The clouds part, the sun comes out, and it’s time to wash the windows and clean the rugs. But the concept isn’t limited to your home. Now is a really great time to rid your mind of all that weighs it down.
Do a social media detox
Don’t check your email first thing in the morning
It’s all too easy to get mentally derailed before you even get out of bed, if the first thing you do when you open your eyes in the morning is grab your phone. Resist. Plug in the phone somewhere else other than your bedroom. Give yourself a window of sanity — even just the 15 minutes it might take to go to the bathroom, wash your face, and brush your teeth — before clickbait headlines take over your thoughts.
Listen to music or a podcast — not the news — on your commute
Similarly, rid your commute of the weight of the world. Can you stop the stock market from spiraling while you’re stuck in traffic? No. So, stick with things that are more in your control, including the music or personalities you like best.
Step up your sleep hygiene
If you mean to take spring-cleaning your brain literally, get your z’s. Deep sleep helps clear toxins from the brain. It’s the glymphatic system at work. “Sleep is critical to the function of the brain’s waste removal system, and this study shows that the deeper the sleep, the better,” said Maiken Nedergaard, lead author of a study on the topic.
Challenge that voice in your head
One thing we could all get rid of? Negative thoughts. These irrational beliefs keep us fearful and stagnant, anxious and depressed.
It’s not quite as easy as tossing clothes you haven’t worn in a year into a trash bag and heading to Goodwill. But a little “instant CBT” (cognitive behavioral therapy) can help. Psychologist Loren Soeiro suggests challenging negative thoughts with two powerful phrases: “No, it isn’t” and “It doesn’t matter.”
Go for a walk
Even a leisurely 10-minute walk is good for the brain, says science. Walking helps different parts of the brain communicate better. It also helps with focus and memory, and even increases blood flow to the brain.
Eat brain food
Right up there with exercise is food — specifically, brain food that is high in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Think: salmon, eggs, blueberries, and nuts, and treats like coffee, green tea, and dark chocolate.
