Your mind is foggy, you’re unproductive, you’re stressed, you’re depressed. You feel like you’ve lost sight of yourself. Sound familiar? Yeah, me too. Whether it’s a bad day or a bad month, feeling out of control of your life can be really overwhelming- but I'm starting to realize that it doesn't have to be the reality. I’ve put together two lists of things that help me when I’m struggling. The first has some quick tips and solutions when you just need to clear your mind and feel refreshed on a bad day, while the second promotes healthy long-term habits that can help you feel better more often. ‌‌

Quick things you can do to reset your mindset on a bad day:

1. Take a shower or brush your teeth

This one is huge for me. If I’m having a bad day, my depression loooves to just sit in bed in dirty clothes and greasy hair for two days. A shower, especially a cool one, is a great way to wake up your senses and feel clean and in control again. But on the days when even that might feel like hard work, I’ve found that brushing my teeth can be the first simple, easy step I can take to start feeling better. ‌‌

2. Get some fresh air

Whether this is getting out into nature, taking a quick walk around the block, or just cracking a window, breathing some fresh air will work wonders toward refreshing your body and mind. ‌‌

3. Journal or meditate

I often find it helpful to write it all down. Write about what you’re feeling - or not feeling. Write about that brain fog, that hard thing you are going through, that numbness. Get it all out so there’s room inside you again to think, to take the next necessary step. Meditating is also a great practice to clear and calm your mind! ‌‌

4. Clear your energy

Burning or smudging with Palo Santo is my go-to when I want to clear the energy in a space- the smoke has an uplifting and fresh scent that is known for relieving stress and restoring tranquility. Sometimes simply the act of smudging can be helpful, especially if you’re being mindful about using it as a cleansing/renewing ritual. ‌‌

5. Go somewhere new

Take yourself on a date. Get out of the house, away from your normal day-to-day life to fill your senses with something new. I like to go to bookstores or crystal shops, or check out new coffee shops. You could also meet up with a friend - sometimes you need an outside opinion on life or just a conversation to take your mind off things. ‌‌

6. Clean or rearrange

Is your desk space a mess? Have the dishes been sitting in the sink for a week? Do your bed sheets smell like the soup you spilled in them a month ago? Choose something to clean that will improve your lifestyle. Putting some music on and taking a few minutes to clean often does wonders for my headspace. Rearranging your space and making it look different can also be helpful to reset your mind. You might find something that inspires you!‌‌

7. Diffuse essential oils

There are so many essential oils out there that help with calming, relieving tension and reducing stress. My favorites are lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, and peppermint. ‌‌

8. Practice movement

This could be a walk or hike, going to the gym, or simply doing some yoga in your living room or next to your desk. When I’m feeling down, this is often the most difficult thing to get myself to do, but it’s the one that often helps the most. Yoga is my favorite on this list because it is the most mindful and I can combine it with meditation to spend some time focusing on my breathing and notice where I’m feeling things in my body. ‌‌

9. Drink lemon water or a cup of tea

Chances are, you’re probably dehydrated. Lemon water is great to drink right away in the morning as it is rejuvenating and aids in digestion. Tea- green tea specifically- is loaded with antioxidants that can help boost brain function and clear that fog. Not to mention a little caffeine may be the pick-me-up you are looking for. Try to stay away from coffee, especially if you’re dehydrated!‌‌

10. Do a social media unfollow spree

Social media can be so draining- especially if your feed is full of people and accounts you don’t really care about or connect with. If it’s been a while since you’ve weeded through the list of people you follow, it might be time. Only keep what’s serving you, what brings you joy. ‌‌

Long-term practices to reset your mindset:

1. Set and track your goals

If you feel directionless, take some time to think about your goals and where you want to be in life.  Practice things like visualization and keeping a habit tracker.

2. Find a new routine

Maybe it’s your old routine that’s draining you- or maybe your routine has been disrupted entirely. Figure out a new routine that allows for more time for what you need, including those goals you set! ‌‌

3. Spend less time on social media

Like I said, social media can suck your brain away. Set time limits on your phone, or maybe delete an app for a week to help you reset! I guarantee you this one will make you feel better. ‌‌

4. Do a juice cleanse or start eating better

If you’re feeling gross in your body, a juice cleanse is the ideal way to restart! …Buuuut they aren’t for everyone. If I go even one meal without real food I am likely to start burning bridges with loved ones- I cannot imagine surviving a full 3 day cleanse. If you're like me, try cutting some things out of your diet that leave you feeling heavy and adding healthier, happier foods instead. I like to live by the 80/20 rule: 80% food that’s healthy that I like, 20% food that’s maybe not as healthy but that I love. ‌‌

5. Read a self-help book

There are so many personal growth and development books out there to help you become the person you want to be! I’ll be doing a blog post soon with a list of my recommendations, which I will link here. ‌‌

Remember to give yourself grace. ‌‌

You are going to have messy phases and transition periods in your life, you are going to have hard days- today you might just need to be kind to yourself and make it through so that you can start fresh tomorrow. That’s okay. ‌‌‌‌