Thoughts have been taking up too much real estate in my head lately. Space is at a premium, as it is pretty darn occupied. Many clients and friends are experiencing the same… and for some, it’s to the point of mental fatigue.
Are you experiencing some of the below symptoms?
- Easily distracted / can’t get work done
- Not sleeping well
- Quick to anger or regularly feel impatient
- Zoning out / making more mistakes
- Feeling depressed or overly worrying
- Change in eating habits
These symptoms of mental fatigue are easily ignored and even accepted as normal because so many people experience them. However, each can squeeze the juiciness out of life and create suffering in relationships, work, and life in general.
THE REMEDY
Clearing out the clutter and opening up some real estate in your mind to be open, wild, and free.
HOW?
No doubt, daily meditation and mindfulness practices help decrease mental fatigue, but deeper restoration needs time and space. It’s like tidying up versus a deep cleaning. The house feels totally different afterward.
My without-fail-goto for reclaiming inner space (peace) and clarity is to take a weekly sabbath – a day of rest. I’m committing to this practice again, and I hope to inspire you to do this as well.
You might be thinking – no way can I take a day off and do nothing.
I’m suggesting a different kind of rest.
For mental restoration from fatigue, doing yard work might be just the right medicine – as long as you are focused solely on the task at hand, the natural world around you, and not rapid-fire thoughts.
I’m suggesting a day off from solving problems, listening to the news, or on technology (including email, texts, podcasts, social media, google searches). Even information perceived as good needs a break. On this day of rest, you decrease the input by not adding more clutter to your brain.
The next step is to create inner space – allow the real estate that was occupied with so much stuff of the human world to be reclaimed into what is reflected in the natural world – imagine the vibe of a still pond, an aspen forest, a clear blue sky, vast open space…
During this “rest day,” be outside as much as possible, a key ingredient to deep restoration. Without the added input, your mind, body, and spirit will naturally entrain or recalibrate to the spaciousness of the natural world.
But beware…. without the added input, your mind will want to make up stories to keep you occupied, distracted, and away from feeling and decompressing. Think of this as the mental detox phase of your day of rest. If you allow this phase to happen without resistance, clarity is on the other side.
With each thought, story, or negative self-talk that arises, calmly respond with “thank you” and let what is arising be. Don’t entertain it, or invite it to stay longer by giving energy and attention to it. A simple acknowledgment and willingness to let it be is all that is needed. It might take some time for your mind to settle, but it will. Be loving and consistent with yourself, just like training a puppy. 🙂
Lastly, refocus on the sensory information that nature is gifting you to support you in being in the present moment – let the thought be and focus on the sound of the bird or the leaves swaying in the wind.
Honestly, I can’t think of a more perfect practice to try out as we are in the midst of the season of welcoming the Light into the world. Creating inner space will allow your light to shine brighter, which is a gift to everyone around you.
Remedy to Mental Fatigue: 3 Steps for a Day of Deep Restoration
#1 – Stop the input. Get off technology for the day. No email, google searches, or social media. Not even one… it’s too tempting. It can wait until tomorrow.
#2 – Be outside as much as possible from morning till night. Allowing your senses to support you in experiencing the present moment, what is right in front of you.
#3 – Be gentle on yourself and all that arises once you take away the input of external information. As each thought rises, gently redirect the thought with “thank you” and allow it to
