There’s a lot going on in the world, and you take on a lot too. With that comes a huge mental load. A heavy mental load can make us feel exceptionally overwhelmed and anxious, and be a serious drain on your energy and happiness. That’s why today we’re sharing five ways to lighten your mental load, so you can experience more joy and ease in your every day.
- Get it out of your head.
Write down anything and everything that’s on your mind. Sometimes just getting things down on paper helps us feel lighter. It also helps us process and make sense of things.
- Have a coffee or a phone chat with a good friend.
Treat a good friend to coffee and tell her you need to vent. When we have too much on our minds that’s weighing us down, a good listening ear can make a huge difference. Sometimes we just need a little time to let it all out and some encouraging words to remember that we’ve got this and it’s all going to be OK. Also, to know we’re not alone.
- Get help with daily to-dos
There’s a lot to remember to do on any given day (schedule doctor appointments, make grocery lists, take note of who needs what and when). But you don’t have to take it all on yourself. Whether it’s emptying the dishwasher or pulling weeds in the backyard, have a chat with your household about who can take sole responsibility for some of the load. When you divide responsibilities, you won’t have to worry about whose “turn” it is, and it allows you to remove some of those tasks from your load.
While you’re at it, give your family a tour of the house. It sounds silly, but sometimes we’re the mental keepers of everything — like where the first aid kit is stored or where you stash the sanitizer. If you show your family members where things are kept, they’ll be less likely to ask you about it, so you’ll have fewer things on your mental plate.
- Streamline Your Space
Clutter in your home can cause clutter in your mind. So take some time this weekend to sort through piles of paperwork, clothes — whatever you have lying around. When your place is tidy, you’ll have less stuff to constantly clean and organize … and to think about.
- Automate Whatever You Can
If there are recurring tasks you’re constantly having to remember, see if you can automate some of them. Set up automatic bill pay for your monthly bills, get auto-refills of prescriptions or groceries, or set up recurring calendar reminders for doctors appointments or pet grooming, so you don’t have to think about when those need to happen.
You take on a lot, so do what you can to be kind to your mind and lighten that mental load. You’ll love how free you feel!
XO,
Emily and the EveryDay Happy Team
P.S. Are you following us on Instagram? Each story or post is like a mini moment of peace and inspiration! Join us over at everydayhappy.life to see for yourself. 🙂
Quote du jour
“Self-care is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation.” — Audre Lourde
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