Sometimes your mind needs a chill pill. Yes, you read that right. It’s good to give your mind a well-deserved break from all the thoughts that make your brain feel like it’s been running on overdrive.
“Why would I want to stop thinking?” you might be asking “How would I even do that?”. Naturally, thought is necessary. If you and I weren’t thinkers, what I’ve written and what you’re reading right now, would never have come to fruition.
In addition, to make informed judgments about our lives, it is necessary to consider both the past and the future. Nobody is able to just stop thinking, nor would they want to.
But, with the hustle and bustle of life, we often forget to hit the pause button and let our minds catch a breather. That said, there’s the art of thinking, but there’s also the special alternative we may have not ‘thought’ about as of yet, the not-so-art of not thinking—a basic but vital habit for our hectic everyday lives.
Why chillaxing the mind matters
Our brain is the superhero system of our bodily functions. It’s constantly on the run, tackling a million tasks in one go. Yet, superheroes too need a break to operate better.
Our brains are fascinating organs, qualified for processing large amounts of information. Nevertheless, like any other muscle of our body, our brains can become fatigued when they constantly keep working.
Your mind functions less effectively when you deny it opportunities to rest and recharge. Additionally, there’s a chance that you’ll suffer from burnout and cause health issues that accompany ongoing stress.
An endless flow of thoughts, concerns, and obligations can cause mental tiredness, which can result in anxiety, tension, and a decline in general well-being. Studies have indicated that taking short breaks can enhance your mood, increase your productivity, and help you focus better.
“When you take breaks, you can solve problems in fresher ways than you could if you just kept your nose to the grindstone,” Scott Bea, a psychologist and assistant professor at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine says. “Our brains are like any machine: They need a rest.”
Chronic thinking has the potential to weaken the immune system, interfere with decision-making, and disturb sleep cycles. That’s where not-thinking swoops in to save the day. We must incorporate periods of mental relaxation into our everyday schedules to mitigate these detrimental effects.
What’s this not-thinking thing?
No, it’s not about creating an empty echo chamber in your head, or clearing your mind completely and avoiding responsibilities, so don’t worry. Thinking less is more akin to providing your mind with a comfortable hammock to relax in for a while.
It’s about stepping back from the mental circus and allowing your mind to recharge instead of always being engrossed in your thoughts and ideas. Making a conscious effort to create mental space, and letting ideas come and go without giving them too much weight is crucial.
Discursive thinking, the logical and analytical way of thinking, is a deeply rooted habit that involves thinking incessantly, with one thought leading to another. As it’s so embedded in us, we frequently start thinking for mental stimulation alone so that we can keep our minds occupied.
Taking occasional breaks from discursive thought, even when we are awake, is a self-care practice. Being silent is a soothing, healing, and restorative activity.
Easy-breezy not-thinking tips
Here, are some pointers that will help you enhance your ability to “not think”.
“Breathe in, breathe out”- mindful thinking
Complex yoga positions are not really necessary. Just take a seat somewhere comfortable, inhale deeply, and exhale gently. Sensate to the air as it works. Simply nuzzle your mind back to the breath whenever it tries to pull you back into the everyday drama. It resembles a brief getaway for your mind.
While engaging in mindful breathing, we also spend time in “the gap”—the space between thoughts. This might evoke a serene sensation. The body relaxes as soon as it happens. Furthermore, because the body and the mind are intertwined, the mind relaxes when the body does.
Nature strolls (no GPS required)
The great outdoors has this way of helping us forget about our problems and free our minds, even for a short time. Allowing yourself to be immersed in the fresh air, listen to the rustling leaves, watch the birds fly, and just let yourself free in the spirit of nature. It can truly heal your mind, body, and soul.
Enjoy the views and sounds of the world beyond your window while allowing your thoughts to roam, even if it’s just a quick stroll around the block. It functions similarly to a brain reset button.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that being in nature improves working memory, brings back focused attention, eases tension and panic, and lowers cortisol, blood pressure, and heart rate.
Unplug, literally- digital detox
We love our smartphones and other “smart” gadgets, but sometimes they need a time out. It’s not necessarily smart if these devices are constantly a distraction from our actual “real” lives.
Find a time during the day to ditch your screens. You and the actual world alone, with no emails or notifications. The calm will be much appreciated by your brain.
A digital detoxification day can have a lot of positive effects on your mental health, such as better sleep, less stress and anxiety, more creativity and productivity, better connections with others, and an increase in self-awareness and mindfulness. Therefore, the next time you feel like you’re drowning in technology, think about taking a day off and see how it might help your mental well-being.
Doodle away- creative expression
You don’t have to be a Picasso. Grab a piece of paper and let your creative juices do the talking.
You are being kind to your mental health when you permit yourself to fully immerse yourself in a creative endeavour. Focusing on the task at hand through artistic expression can help you feel in control and purposeful. These kinds of projects can also put your worries aside and make you feel more comfortable.
Final word: give your mind a hug
In the world we live in, “downtime” is like a bad omen and busyness is a badge of honour. This stereotypical idea needs a break as well, and it starts with you. Rest isn’t to be thought of as some rebellious act, it’s not even a “luxury”, it’s a necessity.
So folks, sit yourself down, kick back, and allow your thoughts to rest. Give it a hug instead of a to-do list. Because there’s a little magic—a magic that keeps you grounded, rational, and prepared to take on whatever the world throws at you—in the gift of not thinking.
(Tashia Bernardus)