Being an adult is no walk in the park. More often than not, life as an adult is filled with so many ups and downs that you feel like you’re drowning– and this is where stress comes into play. Stress is capable of robbing you of your productivity, and more importantly, clouding your mind and judgment.
Today, we will take a look at the power of thinking clearly and the steps you need to take to achieve it.
Thinking Fast and Slow
by Daniel Kahneman
⏱ 12 minutes reading time
🎧 Audio version available
Have you ever felt like, no matter how hard you tried to think clearly, you just couldn’t? You’ve tried everything within your power to formulate thoughts with a clear mind, but it always felt like there’s a brain fog that keeps you from thinking clearly?
Well, you’re not alone. Lack of mental clarity is something that many people struggle with, and despite popular misconceptions, thinking clearly doesn’t come naturally. It is, in fact, a skill that can be taught and cultivated. You’ll find that people who have mastered this skill are extremely successful individuals who know how to make intelligent decisions and avoid making mistakes. In contrast, those who have failed to do so aren’t capable of reaching the same level of success.
Having a clear mind gives you an advantage. Here are several ways to help you gain that advantage.
Figure Out What’s Stopping You From Having a Clear Mind
Easier said than done, the first step into having a clear mind is finding out what’s between you and that mental clarity. The reason might vary from one person to the next. However, stress and worry are very common.
In order to nip the problem in the bud, you need to find the root of that problem. If it continues to plague you, there’s no doubt that it will take its toll on you.
Make a Checklist
On the off-chance, you find yourself in a rut and are too overwhelmed to think, let alone think clearly. Writing down what you need to do on a checklist instead of struggling to remember them will make a huge difference. To put things into perspective, making a checklist is comparable to decluttering a messy desk. Once you get rid of the clutter, you’ll have a clean and organized desk, and the same goes for your mind.
Thanks to countless apps and websites, writing down a checklist is easier now than before. For one, it won’t feel like a hassle to try to find a notebook and a pen, which can discourage you from making a checklist in the first place. And two, you can organize those tasks by priority, as well as checking off the tasks you’ve completed, which gives a sense of accomplishment and a boost of motivation.
Unplug From Social Media
If you find yourself in a regular state of anxiety and stress, chances are, social media play a role in making you feel that way.
So, how does one deal with social media-related stress?
Well, it’s very simple. First, consider unplugging from social media, even if it’s for a little while, which many people call ‘a social media cleanse’. You might not realize you need this so-called cleanse, but it’s safe to say that social media has a negative effect on everyone, whether they realize it or not.
Seeing the ‘polished’ photos of others puts us in a vicious cycle of comparing ourselves and our lives to those photos. It creates unrealistically high standards that we don’t realize are next to impossible to achieve, leading to more stress, anxiety, guilt, shame, and a lack of mental clarity.
Instead of being on social media, use that free time to reconnect with nature. Perhaps go on a hiking adventure or relax on the beach on a sunny day and let all your stress and worry wash away.
Evaluate Your Attitude
Your attitude will either make or break your goal, and the reason behind it is very simple. If, for example, you want to achieve a goal, you will undoubtedly do everything possible to achieve it, no matter how difficult or time-consuming. But, on the other hand, when you associate the goal with being too difficult to achieve, your focus shifts to the obstacles that stand in the way.
If you want to obtain mental clarity when it comes to goals, you have to find out whether you truly want to achieve that goal or not. If achieving that goal is what you desire, you’ll find that you’re completely focused and determined to achieve it.
Take Advantage of Your Negative Thinking
You’ll often hear that positive thinking will get you far in life. So, it might come to your surprise that negative thinking can also have the same effect– that is, if you use it right.
Whenever you have negative thoughts in a situation, direct those negative thoughts into positive and productive action. Instead of focusing on why you’re stuck, think about what you can do to progress. That way, you’ll switch your focus into finding ways to progress and will be able to clear your mind out of negative thoughts that could be hindering your success.
Since we’re on the topic of clear thinking, it’s worth mentioning that there’s one arch-nemesis that always stands in our way, no matter how hard we try to overcome it. That arch-nemesis, which is brain fog, is something that many of us struggle with on a day-to-day basis. It affects our ways of thinking to a great extent, leaving us feeling hazy and struggling with the lack of mental clarity.
Many people think that brain fog is inevitable; it’s just a part of life, and there’s no way we can avoid it. However, the truth of the matter is, not only is it avoidable, but it’s also completely treatable with simple yet life-changing steps.
Eat Healthy Food
Believe it or not, one of the main reasons you might struggle with brain fog is eating unhealthy junk food. On a cellular level, glucose is the fuel that our brain needs to function. When you’re eating foods loaded with sugars, such as candy or carbohydrates, the glucose levels spike before dropping again, causing symptoms like confusion, impaired judgment, and brain fog.
On the other hand, a healthy and balanced diet won’t cause that glucose spike, thus preventing brain fog and other symptoms.
Exercise More
The benefits of exercising extend far beyond having a fit and toned body. You’ll find that many gym-goers are keen on exercising regularly. Some are even downright addicted to exercising for a very good reason; exercising improves brain function and gets the oxygen flowing into it. It also releases endorphins and lowers cortisol levels.
The lack of physical activity might be one of the main causes of brain fog, which is why doing any physical activity such as jogging, going on a walk, or even standing up after long periods of sitting down can help you eliminate it and clear your mind.
Get More Sleep
If you’re constantly pulling all-nighters and generally don’t get enough sleep, this can contribute to why you’re constantly feeling brain fog. In addition, not getting enough sleep for a single night is so troublesome that it can cause mood swings, lack of concentration, and memory problems. So, can you imagine the problems that long-term sleep deprivation can cause?
It’s key to get enough sleep to improve your mental clarity and overall performance. And, the good thing is, there are countless ways you can ensure that you get a good night of sleep, such as cutting down on caffeine consumption, avoiding snacking near bedtime, and sticking to a routine.
Avoid Stress
I think we can all agree that stress comes hand in hand with being an adult. But, unfortunately, it’s become so common that people associate being stressed with being a hard worker, which is far from the truth. You can be a hard worker without feeling constantly stressed, and in fact, that lack of stress can do wonders in clearing your mind.
And, in the worst-case scenarios, where stress is unavoidable, there are ways that can help you overcome it, such as by practicing meditation and yoga.
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