MENTAL REBOOT – 2

“I always REMINDED myself that this wasn’t exactly where I was meant to be, but pit stops are okay on the road of life, aren’t they? -Lena Dunham I explained in my last post how I would go over some more techniques which allow us to step back in troubled times and mentally reboot ourselves when our minds get cluttered. Here are some more tips that might help you stop and smell the roses momentarily.

• Beautify your surroundings. This idea was suggested in an article by businesswoman and writer Laura Spencer. Whether it’s an office, your bedroom, your kitchen or wherever you spent a great amount of time, surround the environment with things you love. If you have a favorite band or musician, put up their posters. If you have mementos from a loved one, put them in a visible place. The more often your eyes catch the things or people you love, the more good you’ll feel subconsciously which in turn, has the potential to transition to a conscious level.
• Don’t try to put forget negative things. This may seem counter-intuitive but bare with me for this step. Many mental health experts have said that the effort to put negative thoughts out of the mind can be quite taxing and in some cases, even bring on more stress. Instead, many suggest that try pairing the negative memories with positive ones to create a balance. If you’re falling behind on your bills, think about the time when you had more financial control. If you’re depressed, think about some of the happiest times in your life. The whole philosophy of “just don’t think negative thoughts” is much easier said than done. But adding postivity to them is not nearly as difficult.
• Find a soothing smell. It’s been proven by scientists for a while that certain smells like lavender help de-stress the mind. That’s why lavender is used very often to help increase melatonin levels at night for people who have trouble sleeping. But very few people attribute smells to daily activities. In an article, UK psychologist Martha Roberts suggested incorporating your favorite scents in your daily life. For example, light a scented candle in the room you’re working in. Put on a specific and/or favorite perfume even when you’re not going out or meeting anybody. If you have flowers or plants around the house, smell each and every one of them after getting out of bed. Not just a two-second whiff but really imbibing the smell for a whole minute or longer.

Will these techniques work definitively? No. As I’ve said time and time again, everyone’s mental well-beings operate differently. There’s no single, miracle cure for mental stress. But the techniques mentioned can indeed push in the right direction to feel better. They may not be an instant cure but will help pave the way for bigger and better things. How do you feel about the techniques listed in this article? Do they seem feasible to you? Why or why not? What techniques do you specifically utilize to help mentally decompress? Share your thoughts and experiences by commenting below on our secure servers.