TIDY YOUR MIND

Spring-cleaning a busy brain can bring calming benefits

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Already scrubbed your home from top to bottom? A new season is the ideal time to give your head a refresh too. In the same way a messy house can hold you back, an overwhelmed brain can slow you down and ramp up stress levels. 'Having a cluttered mind can be debilitating and leave us feeling unfocused and anxious,' says lifestyle coach Irene Moore. Try these tips to help lighten your mental load.

DO MORNING 'BEDITATION'

Levels of the harmful stress hormone cortisol are at their highest during the first hour after we wake. But beditation - meditating in bed - can prevent you from feeling overwhelmed if your mind is whirring. 'It requires little effort and can be done within moments of waking,' says leadership coach Laurence Shorter.

TRY THIS

When you open your eyes, don't react to the voice in your head rattling off responsibilities. Slow your breathing and ask yourself, 'What are my priorities today? What's important?' The secret is not trying too hard - by giving your brain space to think, you'll identify creative solutions that help you feel composed for the day ahead.

BE MORE DECISIVE

Big life decisions are a drain on mental energy. But even the mundane choices we make daily can feel a lot. 'When there are too many options, we consider each one, weighing the pros and cons and trying to anticipate each potential outcome,' says counselling psychologist Dr Rina Bajaj (rinabajaj.com). This can lead to decision fatigue and anxiety.