You understand shutting off your mind is beneficial to your health. You recognize learning how and developing quiet can create peace of mind. You know this intellectually, yet your brain is so busy that sitting quietly seems like torture rather than enjoyment. How can you stop your brain from being in overdrive?
- Find a leaf/leaves and trace the veins with your finger. Observe all branches, compare them with other leaves. Look for the tiniest of veins and follow them. Turn the leaf over, look at the variations of color/tint. Do the same thing with a flower. Look at all the parts of it including the stem and leaves.
- Turn off news media. The world will not stop if you don’t read or listen.
- Listen to music without words or music that has no memory attached to it. In other words, don’t let the words or sound of music trigger memories or thoughts.
- Pick up a pen or pencil and draw something. Not art. Just connect some circles and lines and then draw some more. Print off a doodle page or purchase an adult coloring book. This simple task can occupy your mind so it’s not constantly processing information.
- Take a walk and look at things you don’t ordinarily look at.Count certain similar things you see. How many dogs? Birds? Specific colors, for instance choose red. As you walk look for anything red and continue then change to another color. If a particular object triggers thought, choose something else to look at to clear those thoughts.
The goal of these simple tasks is to set a practice of becoming still in your mind. Our thoughts are powerful, yet when let to run wild they can be the greatest distraction. Please be aware, just because you have lots of thoughts doesn’t mean that they are beneficial. Lots of thoughts can mean clutter. Clear the clutter. Be free of that load. Another benefit of stopping the overdrive mind is that your life becomes cleaner, clearer and less cluttered.
The benefits of a quiet mind actually accumulate in positive momentum in a direction you desired to take all along. It is quite magical and stimulating. Yes, stimulating because the stimulation is satisfying and enjoyable, not overwhelming. Remember practice makes perfect! This is a practice and the reward is in the process.
Julia Parsell is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor with an emphasis on the intersection of science and the sacred. She writes from experiences and transformative understandings that have led her to an authentic and peaceful life. She goes by these names: wife, grandmother, mother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. As home educator of her three children, she also developed/ran cafes, and maintained various leadership roles within her community. Her greatest desire is to encourage others to live life fully. Her passions are family, writing, and trail blazing. She is happily married in Western North Carolina. Please visit her blog here.
