Mental Detox: Start the New Year with Freedom

Old patterns often come back faster than we can watch because we often forget an important component in all the resolutions: Our mindset. Because everything stands and falls with the strength of our mind. If you think you've messed up the starting shot and now have to wait another year, we have good news for you: It's never too late to start. And the best thing is, you should start now.

The magic word to start the new year free is Mental Detox. What does that mean? It means consciously saying goodbye to the old, freeing yourself from negative thoughts and shedding hindering behavior patterns. Because the secret of all positive receiving lies in letting go. We have compiled various techniques for you, with the help of which you can strengthen your mindset, practice mindfulness, and find the focus on the essentials again.

1. Let go and look forward

Think about how last year was for you. Let it pass before your inner eye once again. What were beautiful moments? What might have thrown you off track? What have you accomplished? Now prepare small slips of paper and write down everything that should stay in the old year. Every thought, whether it is related to a positive or negative event, gets a slip. When you're done, read them all again and then burn them in a fireproof bowl. It's best to do this outside, then you can scatter the ashes into the wind and let your old thoughts go. The first step of your Mental Detox is done.

Then look forward. What do you wish for in the new year? Write your wishes on a slip and maybe take a photo of it before folding it into a paper boat. Do you have a river or other body of water nearby? Then set your small wish boat out there and let it sail towards the future. Alternatively, you can also send your wishes into the sky with a balloon.

2. Mental Detox means staying with yourself

Are you one of those people who checks their social media channels first thing in the morning? Originally, we wanted to exchange with friends, get information, or be inspired there. Instead, we constantly look at the supposedly perfect lives of strangers and wonder what we did wrong. Nothing at all! Because many of these profiles are merely a staging. Therefore, try to free yourself from such comparisons and stay more with yourself again. You are enough. You are a gift to the world. And that's why you are exactly right as you are.

So that you don't fall back into old patterns, take a look at whom you follow and consistently declutter: Who doesn't do you good? Which profile drags you down? Which one gives you the feeling of not being enough? Only keep the profiles that inspire you, inform you, and are from good friends. You will surely soon notice how your self-image develops positively again.

3. Find your focus with the help of meditation

Once you are more present with yourself, you can engage more deeply with your mind. Often, the carousel of thoughts keeps us up at night or prevents us from being productive. Meditations are an excellent support to tune into ourselves.

The best time to meditate is in the morning right after waking up for about 15 to 30 minutes. The brain is then still in the Alpha brainwave state and thus finds it easier to access the subconscious. That's why Visualizations of your goals or a Gratitude practice are most effective at this time. If meditating is still new to you, then take a look at our blog article Meditation Exercises for Beginners.

Yoga can also be a form of meditation and is therefore extremely helpful to deal more mindfully with body and mind. Calm asanas with closed eyes turn your gaze inward. The gentle movements help you feel more and support you in stopping the carousel of thoughts. In our blog article Morning Yoga we have compiled the best exercises for you after getting up.

4. Be grateful

It sounds simple, but in practice, it is usually not. Because of the constant upward comparisons and all the possibilities we have today, we quickly lose sight of the essentials. Listen to yourself and ask what really makes you happy. What are you grateful for? To ensure you don't lose these thoughts, create a so-called Gratitude Journal. You only need a nice notebook or booklet and a few minutes. But you will see how this ritual can positively impact your mindset.

Perhaps you'll take a moment every evening before going to bed to write down three things you're grateful for. At first, big topics might come to mind, such as your family or a roof over your head. But there can also be very mundane things. Maybe it's the cup of tea in the morning or the new cozy socks your aunt knitted for you. If you ever feel not so good, you can take out your journal and realize what good things you experience.

5. Take the pressure off

However, one thing is essential in all these Mental Detox practices: Don't put pressure on yourself. No one is perfect, and you don't have to be either. If you don't feel like doing your gratitude journal or practicing yoga, don't be hard on yourself. We are often our own harshest judges. But why shouldn't we treat ourselves with love and mindfulness? Practice self-care and learn to forgive yourself. What do you think?