Detox your mind with self-hypnosis

It is a sad fact that in the 21st Century, despite all the gadgets that we now have to make our lives easier, 59% of British adults say their life is more stressful than it was five years ago. (Source http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk)

The 21st Century is filled with ways to communicate and ways to be entertained, and it can be very difficult to switch off. This can lead to a number of problems; stress, anxiety, and sleep deprivation to name a few. ‘Having it all’ is an overused, dangerous phrase that suggests that if you work around the clock and never make time for yourself, this will somehow improve your life.

We all know that detox is a good way to cleanse our bodies; to rejuvenate, refresh and energise. Whilst detoxing the body is a common practice, detoxing the mind is less conventional, but can be equally beneficial. Our minds are full of information, stress and worry, and the more that we have to process, the less balanced we become.

Follow these steps to detox your mind, leaving you feeling relaxed, creative and ready to face the world!

Get your heart beating
Exercise not only improves your physical health, it also cleanses your mind. Cardiovascular exercise in particular can improve your mood and sleep quality, reduce stress and anxiety and even help your memory. Once you find an exercise that you love, you will look forward to it. Set yourself a goal to ensure that as you exercise, your mind is clear and focused on the task in hand. Drink plenty of water to refresh both body and mind.

Reduce your media intake
We are constantly hit with a barrage of information from the news media, telling us what to think and most of all, what and whom to fear. With smartphones, tablets, and computers, it is seemingly impossible to escape this negativity. Whilst it is important to know what is going on in the world, a steady ‘drip-feed’ of news can lead to overwhelm. Checking once or twice each week is a healthier way to consume the information, and will allow you to process it more rationally. For the same reason, try to avoid watching too much television; particularly programmes that sensationalise illness or encourage intolerance.

Set rules
It is easy to spend the best part of a day responding to emails as soon as they arrive, particularly if you are prone to being a workaholic! Set yourself some new rules, such as only checking emails twice a day, or turning your phone off for a few hours during relaxation time. Learn to delegate when work or home life get too hectic.

Refocus on the present
When we are busy regretting the past or worrying about the future, we are not making the most of life. Take time to give all of your attention to the present moment; look at your progress and achievements and notice every positive step you take, however small. Create a dream board to help focus your mind on things that you would like in your life. This is a very powerful way to concentrate the energy of your mind in a positive and beneficial way. Make sure that everything on your dream board comes from a place of love and generosity.

Take time for yourself
Make sure that you take time to look after yourself and your own needs, even if this is a 20 minute bath, half an hour’s walk, or reading for 15 minutes before bed. Choose something because you want to do it, not because it needs to be done. Make an appointment in your diary to do this regularly and follow it through without fail. You wouldn’t let a friend down by cancelling, so don’t do it to yourself!

Mind-clearing meditation
Try this clearing meditation to gently detox your mind.

Go to a quiet room where there are no distractions. Light a candle and place it in front of you. Turn off all lights so the only light is from the flame of the candle.
Sit comfortably in front of the candle and focus on the flickering flame. Watch the movement of the flame and begin to breathe very slowly and deeply in through your nose and out through your mouth. Make each circular breath long and deep, and clear away any thoughts so your mind becomes still and centred. Don’t worry if you get the odd unwanted thought. Just centre your mind again and allow the thought to drift away. Focus on your breathing and the stillness of the moment.
Keep your eyes on the flame and remain centred and focused. Be in the here and now and accept everything as it is. Continue with your slow, deep breathing and allow yourself to relax deeply. You can stay in this pleasant state for as long as you like. Ten, 20 or 30 minute sessions are ideal.
The first time you practise this mental workout, focus on nothing but clearing your mind and staying centred. Don’t underestimate the power in the simplicity of this, as it can be a very good discipline for completely de-stressing your mind. Once you have practised this technique a few times and you get to the point where your mind is calm, you may decide to solve a problem or let go of a particular stress. When you do this, focus on one thing at a time and keep it simple.
When you have finished, blow out the candle and close your eyes, and notice the thoughts that come to you at this time. You will feel refreshed and relaxed and you may find that new, creative ideas come to you.

Glenn

P.S. My hypnosis and meditation recordings below can help you calm your mind, overcome stress and anxiety. Download these recordings now!