5 Ways to Boost your Mental Consciousness
Ok, spring is on the way and the fog of the winter haze as well as a pandemic filled life is beginning to lift; MAYBE? But there is one thing for certain, mental awareness and acuity has been truly put to the test with decreased human interaction and remaining at home for work as well as play. We all need a vacation but before that happens, we need a way to hit the mental reset button before any island reset can occur. Typically, I would overlook the simplest answers thinking it would be more complicated than it really is (mind of a Virgo) but there are five undeniable methods to sharpen your mental capacity.
Sleep
Sleep is number one on this list because truth be told I lack the ability to go to bed at a decent hour, life of an insomniac, I guess. What can I say? overthinking is my hobby and I’m working on it. But it’s not too melodramatic to state that sleep is essential to for physical and mental function, it lessens stress hormones, revives cells, and tissues, gives you the ability to wake up feeling recharged. Sleep is the best friend you didn’t know you needed, and she will always be there in your time of need, especially when reach 35+ and you need that “necessary pre-game nap” to hit the night running.
H2O
FYI our bodies are made up of 60% water- that’s a lot. Believe me when I say I STRUGGLE with this, but I know how valuable water is to our body and our minds. It prevents dehydration, helps rids your body of toxins, provides adequate circulation and blood concentration, your kidneys and brain will thank you for it plus your moods are affected by how hydrated you are, plus so much more. Water intake can increase calmness, positive emotions, and levels of contentment. I mean if this doesn’t get you to go buy a Brita or Zero Water Pitcher, I guess you're just going to be missing out.
Reading
Reading is not so new to me, but I’ve become more consistent at it, I even joined a book club. Reading can take away life’s current pressures through of a mental voyage, at least that’s how I like to think of it. What better way to mentally push that preset button than to escape for a period of time through story and imagination? BTW, for some reason I got a flash back to the Reading Rainbow introduction-theme song and all, lets go with it. Discovering the genre of storytelling that can “send you away” for an hour or two can be exciting. For example, one of favorites is mystery/whodunnit which make me feel like I’m watching a movie, but I have a behind the scenes role that make me feel like I apart of the story. I get involved, I mean I start talking to the characters and everything, but that’s just between us.
The Power of Zen
Now you probably realized by now I have some flair for the dramatics, but this method is simple meditation or if you like, prayer. Create a space in your home that evokes peace and tranquility, that can allow you open your mind and push all the noise of the world out so that your stress becomes a grounded and close to nonexistent. There are no rules about where should make your sanctuary of peace, it can be in the closet, your garage, or your bathroom (who am I to judge?). Just as long the only “noises” you hear allow you project positivity and productiveness. Only you can determine your level of peace, but the point is you have to put yourself first when doing this. Put the phone down, turn off the television and go find your center.
De-cluttering
We have now reached number five, the last but not least way to increase mental consciousness and you know what? there are levels to this. Think about it, there are those sayings “I work best in mess because I know where everything is” or “I kept that dress I wore 10 years ago to my best friend’s cousin’s wedding and I plan wearing it again” but you went from being a size 6 to size 12- and now your just hanging on to a wish and a dream- (Insert Elsa,) LET IT GO! Clean your space, rid yourself of things, ideas and thoughts that don’t serve you. Leave those self-defeating beliefs behind, there’s no room for that in 2022. Remember you can’t make room for more blessings if you have a space filled with mess and junk. And I want you to have an infinite amount of blessings, no cap.
All and all I hope this helps you, this is a new year and a new season, and we have to make sure we are doing all we can to reap the benefits. Let me know, what are other ways can we elevate our minds?
XOXO,
D
