This Sunday, I preached a sermon to my congregation about the importance of keeping our minds clear. The truth is that we can’t be all that God made us to be and accomplish all that we’re made to do if we’re not mentally sharp.
When our minds are clouded by stress, fatigue, and all the things we have to get done day by day, we become distracted. We can’t focus on what we’re doing. We can’t be present in the moment, and that limits our ability to succeed.
If we want to serve God, love our families, and find success in life, we’ve got to have clear minds.
Like we talked about before, sleep is one aspect of a clear mind, but there are other important elements as well. This week, I’ve got seven quick tips for clearing your mind and staying mentally sharp.
1. Talk
Communication is so important, not just in our relationships with others but in our own mental health. We can’t clam up and try to deal with everything on our own. When we talk with others, we’re really taking care of ourselves.
We need to communicate with our loved ones about what’s going on in our lives and what we’re feeling. And of course, we need to listen to what’s going on with them, too.
We need to talk to God about our concerns and what we’re thankful for. Keeping open communication with Him is a key ingredient in spiritual health.
And sometimes, we need to talk to a professional, like maybe a coach. When we’re dealing with something or trying to improve but feeling stuck, often an outside perspective can be helpful. Most of the time, we know what we need to do; we just talk it through with someone else.
2. Read
Did you know that reading is really good for your brain? Even just a few minutes of reading can help us relax, recenter, and clear our minds to focus on what we’re doing.
Some people really enjoy fiction books. My wife likes to read those. If diving into an adventure or a mystery or a Western is your thing, make the time for it. It may seem like just fun, but it’s good for you.
I personally like motivational and educational books. They inspire me to be my best and teach me how to do it. When I need to clear my mind, I sit down with one of those books and walk away feeling motivated again.
You can never go wrong reading the Bible. The truth is that each of us as believers needs to be spending time in it regularly. Not only do we get all the mental benefits of reading, but we also get to spend time with God and grow in Him! How great is that?
3. Journal
Journaling is a practice that we can all benefit from. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Journaling is all about taking the time to sit, reflect, and write down what’s going through our heads.
By writing down our thoughts and feelings, we can start to process what’s actually going on and how we are really feeling. Patterns of behavior and thought start to emerge, which help us identify areas of growth. This also gives us some direction for the future and helps us destress in the midst of life’s struggles.
4. Walk
Our bodies are connected to our minds. When we take care of one, we take care of the other. We often talk about the importance of exercise, but it doesn’t have to be hard. The simple act of going for a walk gives us so many mental and physical benefits.
Getting away on a walk seems to be a great way to actually slow down and take a deep breath or two. It makes us happy and helps us clear our minds. Plus, it’s a great excuse to enjoy the outdoors, something we don’t do often enough.
5. Exercise
Speaking of physical activity, exercise in general is a great way to clear your mind. Whether you’re into cardio, weight training, or something else, working out your body gives your mind the break that it needs to stay clear.
This also helps us by building muscles that help maintain our joints, bones and structure of our body. A clear mind requires a healthy body, so never neglect the importance of a good exercise regimen.
6. Meditate
Our lives are so busy and loud. But just slowing down, taking a few deep breaths, and meditating on something nice and relaxing (or even God’s word) can help clear our minds and make us feel much better.
Meditation is a great way to slow the pace of your day and take the load off your mind for a few minutes. If you’ve never done it, you should give it a try! It works wonders.
7. Take a Break
My final tip for today is simply this: Take a break.
Get out of your routine for a bit. Get out of your usual environment. Take a short vacation from your responsibilities and tasks. Turn off the phone. You have no idea how freeing it can be to just take a break from it all.
Of course, you have to be smart about this one. You can’t just up and leave everything all at once. But if you plan ahead, you can build time into your calendar for a break from everything you’ve got going on. And that alone can help you clear your mind and refocus on what matters once you’re ready to get back to it.
These are my tips for clearing your mind. Now I want to hear from you: What do you do to make sure your mind is clear and sharp? What benefits have you seen from these practices?
Keeping our minds clear is a constant battle, but it’s so worth it. I know I’ve benefited greatly from the simple tips I’ve shared above, and I hope you will, too.
That’s all for this week. Thank you for reading! Until next time…
To your fitness!