Do You Suffer From Mental Clutter?
Dear !fname,
I’m currently leading the ADD Clutter Busters Workgroup, which is about decluttering and organizing physical spaces.
But there is another form of clutter that plagues many ADDers…mental clutter!
Do you ever find yourself in a place where your thoughts come at whirlwind speed? It becomes hard to concentrate on the tasks at hand when so many other thoughts are floating around in your brain. I call this "mental clutter."
Mental clutter is often made up of worries and bad feelings. Regrets about the past and worries about the future can easily overshadow the present moment. Self-doubt can also take up a lot of space in the mind. And when an excess of these thoughts take over in the brain, it can be stressful, upsetting, and sometimes even paralyzing.
The best way to clear this mental clutter is to process the thoughts, rather than allowing them to swim around in your brain. Once you process your thoughts and feelings, you have no reason to hold on to them. You can then focus on the present moment, and feel more calm and centered.
The following 3 methods have proven very helpful in clearing mental clutter.
1. Write it down. Transfer the thoughts from your brain onto paper. This can be in the form of a to-do list or an email to a supportive person in your life.
Better yet, try journaling. If you feel weighed down by a situation (like an argument with a family member), journaling can help you sort through your feelings. You get a better grip on the events, how you feel, and what you might have done differently. A page or two can be all it takes!
2. Talk it out. You may find that you are a "verbal processor" and work through thoughts and feelings by talking them out. It helps to have an objective person to talk to, who can mirror your thoughts and talk them out with you.
The very act of talking is often what does the trick, so having someone to talk to isn't always necessary. You can talk into a tape recorder, or even to your plants and animals. (I talk to my dogs so much that I'm surprised they don't talk back.)
3. Get out and move.
Something as simple as a 10-minute walk can give the brain a much-needed break from overwhelming thoughts. And a good workout helps release stress and anxiety.
Time alone, combined with physical activity, proves to be a very successful formula for many ADDers to work through their mental clutter.
It's best to experiment with the different methods and see what works for you in the different areas of your life. The important thing to know is that with a little time out, mental clutter can be cleared!
Who Else Wants to Know How to Use Nutrition in ADD Management?
One of the most popular questions I get from clients is “Do you know of any nutritional recommendations for adults with ADD?”
My friend Chris, a dietician and the head of nutrition at Minami Nutrition, dropped by to be a guest on our recent teleclass “Using Nutrition to Improve ADD Management.”
Chris’s top 3 suggestions for using nutrition to improve ADD management are:
- Eat a heart healthy diet
- Stay well hydrated
- Get 1000mgs of Omega-3 fatty acids each day
Chris shared lots of information, research, and how-to strategies for adopting these suggestions.
Want to know more? This teleclass is just one of many great resources that are available ONLY to ADD Management Group Coaching Program Members.
Our Silver Coaching Program is our most popular program and features live teleclasses, recorded audios, community support, access to coaches, and tons of information and strategies to help manage your ADD and move forward in life.
And don't forget, Silver Coaching Program members get unlimited access to the teleclass on "Using Nutrition to Improve ADD Management" plus many other incredible resources.
Visit http://www.addmanagement.com/coaching_programs/silver.html?WSCam=Silver&WSEvt=0425 to find out how you can take advantage of this extremely practical and affordable coaching option!
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All My Best ,
Jennifer Koretsky,
Founder, Head Coach & Chief Visionary Officer
ADD Management Group, LLC |
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