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Spring has sprung! As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, the new season provides the perfect opportunity to harness renewal and growth and soon you’ll be mastering your mindset. With some practical steps, you can transform your frame of mind, allowing you the power to directly influence your overall positivity and wellbeing. I like to think of this as spring cleaning for your mindset!
Do you ever feel like there are not enough hours in a day to complete all of your tasks and work towards your goals? You aren’t alone! Many of us feel this pressure and are so bogged down with the daily pressures of work and home-life commitments that schedules can leave you feeling like you are on a hamster wheel with now end in sight.
However, with the right strategies in place, you can become a better master of your mindset and time – so that you can dedicate more energy towards passion projects, achieving milestones, and unlocking a more productive self.
Let’s examine 6 easy strategies to help you master your mindset! From examining your thought patterns to discovering ways to overcome negative self-talk, we have your journey to a refreshed and empowered mindset covered this spring.
1. Cultivating a Positive Mindset
You might have heard the phrase, “mind over matter,” and there is certainly some truth behind it. Your mindset plays a significant role in your daily life – influencing your outlook, decisions, actions, and ultimately your success. By taking control of your mindset, you have the potential to unlock your full potential, improve your overall happiness, and better handle whatever life throws your way.
Embracing Positivity
Start by cultivating positivity by surrounding yourself with positivity. This includes people, activities, and even your environment. Here are a few simple ideas to help you embrace positivity:
People: Nurture relationships with those who uplift and encourage you. Seek out friends and colleagues who have a positive outlook on life. This is a good time to flush out the people that don’t lift you up!
Activities: Engage in activities that bring you joy and a sense of accomplishment. This can include hobbies, exercise, or volunteering. This is the perfect time to be outdoors, go for a hike, or sit in the sun.
Environment: Create a living and working space that promotes relaxation and contentment. Declutter your space, add comforting touches, and incorporate elements of nature. Toss out the dying houseplant, open up your windows, and donate the clothes you no longer wear. All of these small changes can really help cleanse your environment.
Overcoming Negative Thoughts
Negative thoughts can easily creep into our minds, making it difficult to maintain a positive outlook. I recently made a conscious decision to quit analyzing my past. I will literally stop myself when I start to go down the rabbit hole and say stop out loud. It’s really helped me conquer some stinking thinking in my own life!
Use these strategies to help overcome negative thoughts:
Awareness: Be conscious of the thoughts entering your mind. Acknowledge them, but don’t dwell on them.
Reframing: When negative thoughts arise, reframe them by finding a positive spin or lesson to be learned from the situation. Or tell the thought to stop, like I do!
Affirmations: Positive affirmations can help combat negative thoughts. Repeat these affirmations daily:
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- I am capable of achieving my goals.
- I am confident in my abilities.
- I can handle anything that comes my way.
Meditation and mindfulness: Regularly practice mindfulness and meditation to quiet your mind and reduce stress. I personally love using the Tapping Solutions app whenever I need a refresh. Their guided meditations always help me feel better!
By embracing positivity and overcoming negative thoughts, you can master your mindset this spring and create a more fulfilling life.
2. Setting Springtime Goals
Identifying Priorities
Begin by brainstorming a list of important areas in your life, then narrow down your focus to those that truly resonate with you. Some examples include:
- Family Goals
- Career growth
- Personal relationships
- Health and fitness
- Personal development
Once you’ve established your priorities, consider their short- and long-term impact. Ask yourself what you want to achieve in the coming months, and how this will contribute to your long-term growth. It’s important to set goal dates to hold yourself accountable and I think since we are focused on the spring, keep the goal date short so that you will be able to measure growth by summer.
Creating Actionable Steps
Now that you’ve identified your priorities, it’s time to create actionable steps to reach your goals. Break down your goals into small, manageable tasks that you can accomplish in a reasonable time. Approach this step systematically with the following actions:
- Set a specific deadline: Having a definite time frame motivates you to stay on track and avoid procrastination. Try and keep your goals simple enough that you’ll be able to see measurable change by summer.
- Write everything down: Visualize your goals with a clear list or a chart to solidify your commitment and track progress. I also love the idea of a vision board!
- Develop a weekly plan: Map out the tasks you need to tackle each week to maintain momentum and prevent feeling overwhelmed.
- Don’t forget self-care: Taking care of your physical and emotional wellbeing is essential to stay energized and focused. These goals should make you feel good and confident, not stressed and anxious!
By identifying your priorities and creating actionable steps, you’ll set yourself up for success this spring. Embrace the challenge with an open mind and a positive attitude, and above all, remember that progress, not perfection, is the ultimate goal.
3. Focus on Relieving Stress and Anxiety
Stress can be a “fuel” that keeps you alert and productive during the day. But when high stress levels get out of hand or become chronic, this state of alertness can start to drain your energy levels, leaving you feeling more exhausted and fatigued than ever.
To manage stress effectively, try out strategies such as:
- Learn to recognize your triggers
- Practice stress-relieving techniques like meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises
- Work with a therapist
- Spend more time outdoors
- Get enough sleep each night
- Focus on nutrition and exercise
Some herbs and supplements can also help fight anxiety and boost your mood. I am currently loving the Canaquest CBD Mentanine Mental Health Aid supplement. Additionally, this chamomile, ashwagandha solution, such as N-Acetyl-Selank Acetate – Spray is great for stress relief.
Check in with your therapist, doctor, or psychiatrist
It’s essential to maintain open communication with your healthcare professionals and scheduling your appointments for the spring is a good time. Regular check-ins allow them to assess your needs and make necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. You may also benefit from attending support groups or seeking online communities where you can share and learn from others’ experiences.
Incorporating Exercise
Exercise is a fantastic way to relieve stress and anxiety and it’s something that I credit with giving me balance in my own life. It’s been proven that incorporating regular physical activity into your routine helps in releasing endorphins, which are natural mood elevators.
Choose activities you enjoy, such as:
- Aerobic exercises: running, swimming, cycling
- Team sports: basketball, soccer, volleyball
- Mind-body practices: yoga, tai chi, Pilates
- Cardio: walking, hiking, running
Remember to start small and gradually increase your exercise intensity to avoid potential injuries.
Choosing Nutritious Foods
Nutrition plays a critical role in determining your levels of energy, your mood, and your overall health. I’m sure you’ve heard the sentiment, you are what you eat. So, if you are looking to optimize your energy and productivity throughout the day, be sure to opt for a well-balanced, nutritious diet. According to Harvard Medical School, a diet rich in whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruit, while also low in refined sugars is the optimal choice for your mental health.
It’s also important to consider foods and drinks to limit or eliminate.
Here are a few foods to consider eliminating from your diet:
Sugar: refined sugars can increase inflammation and can also fuel unhealthy cravings.
Caffeine: excess caffeine can trigger anxiety and heart palpitations. Balancing caffeine intake with water is very important.
Alcohol: excess alcohol can effect your sleep and mental health. Consider cutting your intake and eliminating it all together. I am now 8 years sober and love the hangover free life!
4. Mindful Breaks: Turning Downtime into Growth Time
Whether you are trying to become more productive when working from your computer or making each day at work count more, you should not overlook the beneficial impact of dedicating time to self-care and rest on your mental health.
To avoid feeling overwhelmed or face burnout, be sure to incorporate several breaks during the day – and ensure that you have at least one day of rest a week! In your time off, dedicate your energy to activities that matter, such as volunteering, learning, or improving your physical health.
Here is a shortlist of things I like to do in my downtime:
Read: I love reading! I also appreciate listening to inspirational books as I do chores or as I get my daily walk in.
Somatic Workouts: Have you heard of this? Somatic workouts are very light stretches that help push stress and trauma through your system. I love the workshops that Rewire Therapy offers and you can take their classes from the comfort of your home.
Journal: Journaling is such a great exercise for growth. For me, it gets all the thoughts and ideas out so I can truly rest when it’s time to sleep. I have been loving these clinically created journals from Wave of Mind. They are self-directed therapeutic journals that are beautifully made and thoughtfully created.
In your downtime, reach for something constructive and soon you’ll be craving how good some of these tools will make you feel.
Learning Meditation Techniques
One powerful way to implement mindfulness into your daily routine is through meditation. Meditation is a proven method to reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and cultivate mindfulness. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so feel free to experiment with different techniques. Here are a few to get you started:
- Body scan meditation: Focus on each part of your body, starting from your toes and moving up to your head. Gently observe any sensations, tension, or discomfort you may experience in each area. Yoga Nidra meditations are also great to use for body scanning.
- Breathing meditation: Focus on your breath as it moves in and out of your body, counting each inhale and exhale. If your mind starts to wander, gently bring your focus back to your breath. I use the CalmiGo device for this and it helps me so much.
- Loving-kindness meditation: Visualize yourself and others (family, friends, and even people you don’t know or like), and send thoughts of love, kindness, and compassion to each person.
It only takes a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness and meditation, but the benefits can be profound. By turning your downtime into growth time, you’ll be well on your way to mastering your mindset this spring.
5. Reclaiming Your Mental Space from Social Media
Social media can be great entertainment, but it can also begin to drain your energy, time, and focus when usage gets out of control. It is estimated that, in 2022, people spent an average of 151 minutes on social media per day – and this figure is increasing with every passing year! Regain control of your time and mental space by setting up limits on social media apps and limiting your phone usage.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your social media usage? Don’t worry! This spring, it’s time to reclaim your mental space and regain control over your digital life. Here are a few strategies to help you on your journey:
Set Limits on Social Media Usage
One of the most effective ways to regain control over your mental space is by consciously limiting the time spent on social media platforms. You can use in-built app features or download productivity apps like StayFocusd or Freedom.
Don’t forget to keep track of your usage and make adjustments when necessary.
Declutter Your Social Media Accounts
A clean and organized online presence can do wonders for your mental space. Take these steps to declutter your accounts:
- Unfollow or mute accounts that don’t bring you joy or add value to your life.
- Create lists or subgroups to prioritize content and reduce unnecessary distractions.
- Clean up your profile and remove any old content that doesn’t align with your current goals.
Change Your Notification Settings
Adjust your notification settings to minimize unnecessary interruptions and distractions. Here are a few suggestions:
- Turn off non-essential notifications such as likes and retweets.
- Mute group conversations or set them to “Do Not Disturb” mode.
- Set specific hours for receiving notifications, to avoid disturbances outside those hours.
Engage in Mindful Social Media Usage
Mindfulness can play a crucial role in taking back control over your mental space. Remember to:
- Pause and think before you post or share content online.
- Engage in positive interactions and avoid negative discussions or arguments.
- Regularly reflect on your social media habits and their impact on your mental wellbeing.
By incorporating these strategies into your digital life, you’ll be well on your way to mastering your mindset and reclaiming your mental space from social media this spring.
6. Harnessing the Power of Morning Rituals
Mornings can be chaotic, especially if you are a busy mom, like me, or professional. However, after taking a hard look at your morning routine, you can begin to carve out extra time and put in place an energizing routine before the day begins. Some tips to get started include:
- Make sure you get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night
- Try to get up every day at the same time
- Make your bed and straighten up your space
- Make sure you provide your body with hydration and food before your morning coffee
- Feel more energized by getting outside for a walk or by practicing yoga
- Take up journaling and schedule your day the night before
If these strategies don’t seem to work for you, be sure to experiment with different tactics.
Starting your day with a solid morning ritual sets the tone and momentum for the rest of your day. Remember, consistency is key when it comes to rituals, so find what works best for you and stick to it!
First things first, set a reasonable wake-up time for yourself and maintain it throughout the week. Mornings are full of potential, and your body and mind will thank you for the extra moments of quiet calm.
Next, a well-structured morning ritual can consist of three major components: physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Here are some ideas to incorporate into your routine:
Physical
- Gentle stretching or yoga
- Get a long hug from your partner or kids
- A few minutes of heart-pumping exercise
- Drinking a glass of water with lemon
Mental
- Reading a few pages from an inspiring book
- Reviewing your goals or to-do list for the day
- Practicing a short meditation
Emotional
- Writing down a few things you’re grateful for
- Repeating positive affirmations to yourself
- Taking a moment to visualize the day ahead
As you fine-tune your morning ritual, don’t forget to make adjustments based on your needs. Perfecting your routine takes time, but once you find the right balance, you’ll feel more energized, focused, and ready to conquer whatever the day throws at you. Enjoy the process of tailoring your mornings to propel you into a productive, mindful day!
Final Thoughts
As you start mastering your mindset this spring, remember that change takes time, so be patient with yourself. Setting small, achievable goals with a short timeframe is key to building a growth-oriented mindset, so as you progress, celebrate your successes.
This spring, invest time and energy into cultivating a growth mindset. With persistence and dedication, you’ll achieve your goals and unlock your full potential. Good luck on your journey!
