Have you ever felt like you couldn’t escape your constant chaotic thoughts? Or maybe you’ve noticed that sometimes it feels like your mind is in overdrive, constantly replaying thoughts, conversations, and various other scenarios. Maybe it’s always spinning out of control, or perhaps you just have too many thoughts. 

Many people experience chaos in their minds. This can make things difficult when you’re trying to work toward your goals. Although this state of mind seems a bit harmless, it can actually lead to anxiety, mental burnout, and exhaustion. 

The next time your mind is filled with confusion, try a few of these nine creative ways to alleviate the stress of your overactive mind. 

9 Ways To Calm Your Mind

1. Write Stuff Down

Although this may seem like a “no-brainer” (no pun intended) it oftentimes is the last thing we think about when our thoughts come crashing down on us. Yet, this simple exercise works like a charm. I am a huge fan of the “brain dump” technique. It’s when you grab a sheet of paper and write down everything that’s on your mind. The goal is to get it all out. Once it’s all out, you can decide what, if anything, to do with it.

2. Write Down 3-5 Things

Instead of stressing out about an endless to-do list, write 3-5 things you want to accomplish every day — and be sure to add at least one thing that is purely for fun. This will keep your mind comfortably busy without getting you too overwhelmed and stressed. 

3. Help Others

When was the last time you extended a helping hand to someone in need? Our brains tend to calm down when we’re in “helper mode” because the focus is on others rather than our problems or stresses. According to Web MD, helping others light up parts of your brain that make you feel pleasure and connection. Doing something nice for someone lowers stress and lessens feelings of loneliness. It may even boost your heart health and immune response. Fun fact: When you spend money on other people, your body releases more endorphins (the same chemicals from exercise) than when you spend on yourself.

4. Engage in a Creative Hobby 

We all have a creative side, whether it’s hidden deep down or you’re continually flexing your creative muscles. Picking up a creative hobby gives your brain a nice, healthy break from the usual grind. Plus, it allows you to expand your intelligence with new forms of thinking. Win-win! 

5. Care for your Body

The mind and body are intertwined,  so if you aren’t caring for your physical being, you may notice some stress going on in your head. Take time to care for your body — move more, take a walk, soak in a bath, and/or eat nourishing foods. There are lots of ways to reenergize your body so that you can take some of the pressure off of your mind! 

6. Connect with Others 

Helping others and connecting with other people are two different acts, but both are essential aspects of cultivating an active, healthy mind. As humans, we need socialization. We crave human interaction time, so find creative ways to get social! That laughter and chit-chat will feed your mind in countless ways. Call a friend and have lunch in the park. Keep it simple. The goal is simply human connection.

7. Create a Decluttering Habit

I’m not the first person who has said a cluttered space equals a cluttered mind. Nevertheless, it is true. The more cluttered we find our living spaces, the harder it is to calm our minds. The mental energy you save from calming your mind can be used to tidy up your space. 

8. Walk in the Woods

Walking in nature can make you kinder, happier, and more creative, not to mention it can calm your mind like nobody’s business. There is research to support the fact that walking in nature has been shown to decrease anxiety as well as negative self-talk.

A five minute brisk walk will go a long way in helping you to calm your mind. But if you have a bigger dragon to slay, try a long walk outside in nature. 

9. Focus on Your Breath

The reason why breath work is getting so much attention nowadays is that it works. Focusing on your breath to calm your mind has been used successfully across the board by military combat forces to stay-at-home moms. Research shows that paced breathing exercises can focus the mind and regulate the nervous system, ergo calm the mind.

So there you have it. 

Add a few of these practices to your mindset routine and say bye-bye to your old monkey mind and hello to a calmer, more peaceful and more confident you.

Be well + prosper,

Elaine

P.S. If you need support in your journey towards a sound mind, apply here for a free discovery call. You can get the victory over overwhelm or add some strategy to your hustle, today!