5 Ways to clear your mental cobwebs

A cluttered mind is like a sputtering engine not firing on all cylinders. Why not spring clean the mental fog that can cloud your daily thoughts? Here are five ways to ‘organise’ your mind.

1

MAKE YOUR BED

If you take two minutes to do this basic household chore daily, it has a mind-clearing effect that can help to give you a clean mental slate for the day ahead. TikToker @tomtoole3rd relates that “people who make their bed every morning are 206.8% more likely to be [US dollar] millionaires,” because they stick to set routines and practise the “structure and discipline that comes along with doing the same thing every day”.

2

GET OUTSIDE, BE ACTIVE

Whether you work from an office or from home, it’s likely you sit too long every day. This can cause back problems and other health issues and can shorten your lifespan. Walking around the block to grab a daily coffee, taking a stroll in the fresh air, or doing a post-workday workout is a must for a healthy body and mind. Getting out and about also gives you a break from tricky work tasks you might be stuck on, often providing you with a kick of inspiration because you are more relaxed and refreshed. In addition, walking or jogging is “the best type of exercise overall to treat symptoms of depression”, says UK Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Jaleel Mohammed.

3

MEDITATE OR DO YOGA

Taking as little as 10 minutes a day out of your hectic schedule to practise meditation or mindfulness can yield very positive results, such as better focus and reduced stress. Yoga is another effective way to reconnect with your body’s rhythms by focusing on breathing and stretching. “Your day’s going to be a little brighter; your thoughts are going to be a little clearer, you’re onto something great”, says the once-homeless influencer Joseph Abell (@thejosephabell) on TikTok.

4

FOCUS ON YOUR INTERESTS IN YOUR DOWNTIME

Childhood hobbies tend to be forgotten when we become adults and ‘outgrow’ them. But absorbing yourself in an activity that stimulates your mind, from stamp collecting or photography to collaging or gardening, is a great way to make you forget your work worries and keep your creative brain active. This can help with your work life by improving “your creativity, your problem-solving skills and your innovation”, says Malaysian business development head Hamid Azarmi (@danteaz) on TikTok.

5

MAKE DAILY LISTS

Doing this simple daily thing is an effective way to conquer what may feel like a mountain of work one task at a time. Number your day’s tasks in your office diary or phone app (like Google Calendar), placing them in order of urgency. Ticking off that most pressing deadline gives you a sense of accomplishment while readying your mind for the next task. “It’s very satisfying looking at the completed tasks that are crossed off,” says American branding expert Kevin Kamis (@kevinkamis) on TikTok.