Change Your Environment to Clear Your Mind

I’m not, if I were to classify myself, what I would consider a “tree-hugger” type of person. However, I do love

Dr. Deborah Barnett

nature, and yesterday when I was taking a walk I nearly found myself running to hug a beautiful maple tree. It was gorgeous. The individual leaves had spread of color that began with a deep salmon and moved into a brilliant golden yellow. I was taken with the majesty of the tree and all thoughts or any concerns of the day disappeared as I drank in its beauty.

During that walk yesterday I took myself out of my home office, where I was working on a project at the computer, and it cleared my head. A change in environment can be a tremendous aid to releasing worries or thoughts that pull us down. A location can help to anchor and then later re-trigger thoughts, whether up-lifting or of concern. So if you are worrying in your office, take a break and go to something else for a while. It is helpful to get out of the office at lunch, even if briefly, to clear your mind. If you are home on in the evening or on the weekend and feeling down or concerned, resist the urge to flop on the couch and call a friend to complain about your troubles.

The initial sympathy your friend might offer may feel soothing for a bit, but ultimately it will keep you stuck. The key is, to change your environment. At night, if thoughts are keeping you awake, don’t lie there for hours. Your bed is for sleeping and you don’t want to associate it with worrisome thoughts. So if your mind is keeping you awake, get up, go into another room and write down whatever is worrying you. Also, write down one proactive thing that you can do to soothe yourself in the morning. Leave the paper there and then go back to bed.

I love ballroom dancing. One way I change my environment and clear my mind is by dancing at least 2 times a week. After working all day, dancing for 1 to 3 hours clears my concerns and brings me joy. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and it changes your environment by getting you out of your office and out into nature or to the gym.

A wonderful example of nature’s ability to soothe and bring perspective happens when you visit the ocean. Any worry or concern just shrinks in comparison to the grandeur of the ocean. So the next time your find yourself worrying or feeling down, try to change your environment for a while. The worries will just waft away. . .

Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.
www.ManifestingWellBeing.com
Manifesting Well Being for Health and Success