Our mind controls everything in our body. The way we talk, speak, move, eat, and decide. It commands our actions. Thus, it’s essential to improve your mental clarity to stay focused and be successful in whatever you do. You are in total control of your mind, and it’s you to decide whether you let anything distract your focus.
However, there are uncontrollable instances that may happen along the way. It could be problems, failures, defeat, and many more that become a hindrance to your mental clarity. Staying focused and keeping a clear mind can be challenging given these circumstances. Yet, it’s a matter of how you perceive them. The way you see things through, positive or negative, could impact your overall actions and self-improvement journey.
How to focus to improve your mental clarity?
Now, how would you stay focused? Here are the six strategies to improve your mental clarity.
1) Organize Your Thoughts
There may be times that you don’t know how to start your day, what things you need to do, how do you do them, and so on. There can be days that your mind seems cluttered and disorganized. One way to improve your mental clarity is to organize your thoughts.
Planning ahead of time would make your mind less stressed as everything is already in place beforehand. List down all the things you need to do ahead of time, start with the most important things then the least important things. Your mind is more active in the morning after a long sleep because it allows your mind to regenerate to better function so, do the most difficult tasks at the beginning of your day.
How to organize your thoughts
Plan ahead of time
There’s a higher chance of success if you plan ahead of time. It would help your mind function on what is needed to do.
Make a ‘To-Do List’
An organized schedule leads to organized thoughts. You don’t have to keep thinking about what to do next since everything was already in place.
Take care of the urgent and most difficult things first.
If you take care of the urgent and difficult things first, it will be easier for you to do the least difficult things since there will be less pressure and effort.
Do not leave an unfinished task as much as possible.
Starting your day fresh means doing a new set of tasks for today, not from yesterday. It would only be an addition to your workload and would consume additional energy.
2) Eliminate Internal and External Distractions
Distractions can be external or internal. External distractions are the things around you that may affect your focus, such as noises, television, your phone, and many more. Internal distractions involve your mind and emotions such as overthinking, being anxious or depressed, and non-essential thoughts.
Furthermore, distractions can delay anything that you intend to do. They will shift your attention, and your mind will lose its focus. A chaotic environment, for example, can make your thoughts disorganized as you will not be able to concentrate. On the other hand, internal distractions tend to occupy the mind, blocking it from thinking appropriately. In turn, it destroys your mental clarity.
How to eliminate Internal and External Distractions
Stay away from anything that distracts you.
When you want to focus on something, you should not let anything rob your attention, so you better stay away from things that may distract you. If it’s the place, then find another; If it’s your coworker, don’t mind him/her; Or if it is your phone, turn it off.
Relax your mind and body
Mixed emotions and thoughts can lose your focus. Try to stay calm to relax your body and mind.
Avoid overthinking
Sometimes you tend to overthink things that don’t even matter and that will only disturb you. Your mind becomes occupied if you keep on thinking about something over and over and will take your focus away.
3) Fix the Problem Instead of Worrying About It
A common fact about people dealing with problems is that they tend to worry even before thinking of a solution. Indeed, problems may affect your mental clarity, however, instead of dwelling on it and letting your mind be out of focus, why not find a solution and work on it?
All people face problems, yet, the way on how to deal with them varies. Your emotion could negatively affect your thoughts. Do not let it control your mind because it can just worsen the situation. Remember, a calm mind is a clear mind, and if it’s clear, it will allow ideas to come in. Hence, it’s easier to think of a solution and do it.
How to stop worrying
Be calm
Be calm because everything has a solution. Besides, your problem may not be a problem; You might have just been overthinking.
Think of a solution
A worry doesn’t fix a problem- a solution does. So be wise in spending your time and energy. Use it in fixing the problem instead of worrying. Besides, your mind can’t come up with a solution if you are worried.
Think positively
If you think positively, you are halfway through solving the problem. It would give you peace of mind and clear thoughts to come up with a solution.
4) Focus on Your Goals
When complications happen, your mind can become out of focus and you may lose mental clarity. You may tend to forget about your goals and why you’re doing particular things in the first place. If you want to attain something, you need to remind yourself about your goals and purpose to get you back on track.
Let’s say your goal is to get promoted at work. Focus on doing something to achieve it instead of paying attention to things that pull you down. It could be coworkers, complicated tasks, bosses, low compensation, etc. Instead of dwelling on these things, focus on attaining what you aim for.
Furthermore, if you focus on your goals, your mental clarity will improve since your mind will not allow unnecessary thoughts to come through. Also, it would make the process easier because you will become more driven and positive.
How to focus on your goals
Don’t let anything bring you down
Do not let discouragements affect you as it may destroy your inner peace and mental clarity that would interrupt your focus. Be confident and determined in achieving your goal.
Set aside unnecessary things
Don’t focus on unnecessary things but focus on your goals. If you keep on paying attention to unimportant things, then you may only waste your time. It will also reduce the possibility of you being successful.
5) Refresh Your Mind
Like your body, your mind needs to refresh, too. There could be times that your mind becomes drained after a long week or day. Give yourself a break! Do not overwork your brain, do some things that can improve your mental clarity and mental wellness. You might be preoccupied, and your mind needs to relax.
Meditation is one way to refresh your mind and improve your mental clarity. It is effective in clearing your mind and regaining your focus. Also, it’s the best way to destress and practice emotional control. There are many meditation training available, but you can also do them on your own.
How to refresh your mind
Meditate
Meditation, or mindfulness, is a popular way of relaxing and refreshing your mind. It is proven to increase focus and reduce distractions. Some of the types of meditations are yoga, chakra, and the focused meditation.
Spend time for recreation
Even Superman needs a break! Go to the beach, mountains, have fun with your family and friends, or watch your favorite movies. This way, you avoid overworking your mind. A happy person has happy thoughts.
6) Stay Healthy
To improve your mental clarity, your body needs to be healthy so as your mind. Since our brain is connected to all internal organs, getting ill will greatly affect the functions of your brain such as memory and concentration. This would make it difficult for you to think things through. Furthermore, suffering from any sickness and pain could make you depressed and preoccupied, reducing your ability to think properly.
To have a healthy body, you should eat the right foods, have a balanced diet, do physical activities, etc. Some foods are good for the brain such as fruits and vegetables. Fish is also one of the ‘brain foods’ that can improve your concentration.
Another way to make your mind healthy is to keep it active. As they say, the brain, if not used, will reduce its capacity. Why not play word games such as crosswords, scrabble, or any games that keep your mind active. In contrast, overusing the brain could also make it unhealthy. Your brain needs to rest, so you should get enough sleep to prevent you from being mentally exhausted.
How to have a healthy mind
Eat healthy foods
Avoid eating junk and instant foods as these may have harmful effects on the body. Also, stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet.
Get enough sleep
Your mind would not function well if it’s restless. Getting enough sleep is important so the brain can regenerate to improve your mental clarity. Try using weighted blankets for better sleep that come with many health benefits.
Exercise Regularly
Physical activities or exercises boost the hormones of your body– hormones that affect your focus and attention. Being physically active would also keep you motivated and always on the go.
Keep your mind active
Your mind also needs exercise. Play memory or word games such as sudoku, crosswords, scrabble, quizzes, etc. Mental workouts keep your mind active.
