The Gift of Mental Clarity

Thinking clearly and clearly thinking.

Have you ever walked into a room, and your mind goes completely blank? Where you’ve forgotten why you walked into the room in the first place.

We’ve all been there!

The importance of mental clarity.

Having a clear mind helps you keep focused, make better decisions, and achieve your goals. Think of a day where you experienced ‘brain fog’ — where you lacked focus, forgot what you needed to do, and lacked presence.

A clear mind can help you succeed in every aspect of life, whether it’s being fully present to your loved ones, making well-thought-out decisions, writing an article on Medium, or completing a project at school.

A lack of mental clarity can cause you to feel like your mind is scattered, making it difficult to plan. You may not even know what to focus on. Or your thoughts seem impossible to sort through that they start to weigh you down, leaving you feeling overwhelmed by the challenges ahead of you.

If you find yourself often in a state of ‘brain fog,’ you can change that. Here are tips to increase your mental clarity:

De-clutter.

An organized space has a positive mental effect because it removes the noise and distractions that prevent you from having a clear mind. If you need mental clarity while working, clear your desk of anything you don’t need.

If you have some paperwork that you haven’t looked at in a while, you can probably get rid of some of it. Removing distractions can improve your mental clarity by limiting the number of thoughts that come into your head.

Nourish your body.

Having a healthy snack during the day can help you stay more focused because it boosts energy. When you find your mind is a bit fuzzy, reach for a piece of fruit, a granola bar, or some roasted almonds. These will provide the nutrients you need to stay focused. Stay away from sugar. Healthy snacks make your body strong and healthy.

Get sufficient sleep.

Sleep deprivation can make it hard to think clearly. It can also cause irritability, cravings, and low energy. Aim for 8 hours of sleep each night.

If you have a hard time falling asleep, try reading a book, listening to some soothing music, or taking a warm bath. Keep the room very dark. Ensure you get quality sleep every night.

Change your scenery or workspace.

To be more productive, surround yourself with items that you enjoy. For example, if making art makes you happy, include crayons or markers in your workspace. If you’re into cooking, turn your kitchen into a studio. Just ensure that you keep your workspace organized to avoid distractions.

Follow a self-care routine.

A self-care routine involves drinking plenty of water, eating nutritious food, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep. Self-care activities can change the way you think and help you feel better.

For example, challenge yourself to do a physical activity that you aren’t used to or eat a healthier meal. A self-care routine has numerous benefits for your brain.

Meditate.

Meditate daily. It encourages focused attention by quietening the mind. Meditation is not necessarily attached to spiritual practice. You don’t have to adhere to any religious affiliation to practice mediation. If you have never meditated before, start with a beginner’s mediation practice on YouTube.

Stay Present.

We get so caught up with what we think we need to do that we forget that the present moment is all we really have. Practice being fully present in whatever you’re doing. Engage all your senses in the here and now and feel the richness of life in the present moment.

Journal.

Journaling is the act of putting your thoughts to paper. It will help you empty your mind. You don’t need to be a writer to start journaling. If you are unsure how to start, a great resource is ‘The Artist Way.’

Bringing it all together

Mental clarity is the ability to focus and use your mental energy to make effective decisions at the right time. In this age of information overload, it can be challenging to maintain a clear mind. However, adopting these tips will help you increase your level of mental clarity and enrich your life.

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