A Mind and Soul Detox for the New Year

We always hear about detoxing during the new year: clearing our bodies of the toxins that have built up after binging during the holidays or getting our workout routines back on track. It’s vital to take a mind and soul detox as well. The holidays can be a stressful time and it’s necessary to do a mental refresh, not only once a year, but whenever you need it.

Purge The Negativity

This is a type of detox you should do whenever the negative energy seems overwhelming. Anything that makes you feel lesser should be purged from your daily life. We can’t help what other people do, but we can control a certain degree of negativity, such as negative thoughts or toxic relationships. Even websites or magazines make us feel a certain way: if it’s negative, get rid of it!

Spend Time Alone

It won’t be long before you’re busy again with school/work and other activities. Most of the time that means being constantly surrounded by people. Having time to yourself is a great way to refresh and reflect. You don’t have to answer to anyone, and that can be very freeing! Plus, after you have a little time to yourself, you’ll likely be ready to get back in and hang with friends or chat with coworkers about the year ahead.

Do What Makes You Happy

I know that saying this can make people uneasy. Sometimes what makes us happy conflicts with our daily duties; sometimes we’re too busy. But choosing one thing that will truly kick off your year on the right foot is totally worth it, and it can be as big or small as necessary. Spend a Saturday reading. Take a sewing class. Whatever it is, it’s guaranteed to give you a refresh.

Reconnect

As much as resolutions tend to focus on the brand new, I sometimes look back and realize there were things I lost sight of during the last few months of the year, like contacting certain friends or maintaining a healthy habit I previously had. Now is the time to reintroduce these things. Just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean it has to be new.

Have you done any detoxing so far this year?

<3 Mish

Photo: Volkan Olmez