How To Use December As A Time For Mindset ‘Detox’ Before The New Year

Things can be hectic as the year comes to a close in December. Making it through the holidays is a feat in itself. However, December doesn’t have to be a frantic end-of-the-year sprint. Instead, try thinking of it as a means to reset your mind and open it for a clear path for what the new year has in store.

Focusing on taking time to rest, being intentional with self-care days, planning proactively, and settling into your space are all great forms of mindset “detox” before the new year.

According to Primal Trust, when your mind is constantly racing, and you can’t seem to find peace, it’s a sign that you might need a mental reset. Here are some more additional symptoms to look out for that could point to you needing a brain detox: 

• Constant Overwhelm: Feeling overwhelmed by daily tasks or easily stressed by small issues can be a sign that your mind is overloaded. This ongoing stress can lead to burnout, affecting your daily life.
• Lack of Focus and Clarity: Struggling to concentrate, forgetting details, or making decisions can indicate mental clutter. If your mind feels foggy, it might be time for a reset.
• Emotional Instability: Frequent mood swings or sudden sadness can suggest that your mental health needs attention. If your emotions are unstable, a mental reset can help restore calm.
• Physical Symptoms of Stress: Headaches, muscle tension, and digestive issues often signal that your brain is stressed. These physical signs suggest it’s time for a mental break.
• Loss of Enjoyment: If activities that once brought joy now seem like chores, it may indicate mental fatigue. Losing interest in hobbies or daily pleasures can be a sign of needing a mental reset.
• Sleep Problems: Difficulty falling or staying asleep, or waking up feeling unrested, can point to an overactive mind. A mental reset can help restore better sleep patterns.
• Feeling Disconnected: A sense of detachment from people or your surroundings often signals that your mind needs a reset. Taking time to reconnect can help you feel more engaged and less isolated. 

As you learn to pay attention to your body, you’ll find that it speaks to you in many ways. Understanding things like when you’ve overworked yourself, when you need more rest, when you’re dehydrated, or mentally in a slump are all signs that it’s time to slow down, settle into yourself and take time for yourself.

Sometimes life comes at you fast and unexpectedly. Knowing your triggers and coping skills can assist in situations, although it won’t fix what life inevitably throws your way.

Primal Trust labels major life changes, prolonged stress levels, grief and loss, and burnout from school and work, relationship conflict, overcommitment, and information overload as key triggers for mental fatigue. Understanding when things are simply too much for you is an essential element for your mental health.

Once you begin to detox your mindset, the world may look different to you. Things like burnout, feeling overwhelmed, and anxiety are all a part of the hectic concentration of being on-the-go without taking time to care for yourself properly.

According to Sha Wellness, here are benefits to a mindset detox:

• Mental and emotional stability, allowing you to be more centred and balanced.
• Ability to live in the present and enjoy the moment.
• Reduce stress, therefore, improving both your mental and physical health. Did you know that stress could cause weight-gain and weaken your immune system?
• Achieve a better work-life balance.

If any of this resonated with you, it’s time for you to put yourself first and take time for a mental detox. You’re essentially giving your mind time to rest and recuperate. You’ll feel and see the difference in your mood, work, and physical being.