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I read an interesting article in the New York Times a few weeks ago about “spring cleaning” your brain, and how according to experts, a change in season serves as a natural point to take stock of our mental well-being. Which I imagine for many of us has taken quite the beating given all we’ve endured both individually and collectively over the last few years, as well as the hardships the world continues to face now.

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The idea is that we allow the change in seasons to serve as an impetus to internal change, and that we take the time to get really honest with ourselves about where we are emotionally, how we spend our time each day, and the choices we can make to ease the stress and anxiety in our lives. The article goes on to talk about how harmful (and actually degenerative!) stress is to our minds and bodies, and how we must find ways to offer our brains a respite by reconnecting with the things that bring us purpose and joy.

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Some of the suggested ways to do so include:

1. Practicing mindfulness

2. Journaling

3. Reducing information overload

4. Decluttering your physical space

5. Reconnecting with people you love

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Of course a “cleaning of the brain” doesn’t have to coincide with a change of seasons, but personally, I like the idea as my brain functions well around determined starting and ending points. And coincidentally, one of the ways I’ve been cleaning my brain since the beginning of the year is to reduce my information overload. For me, this means taking 1-2 days every week to completely disconnect from social media, all news programs, and the internet as a whole. Which hasn’t been easy to do because my business relies upon all of the above, but it’s an effort that has made a marked difference in my overall well-being as I now spend that time either doing things I love or with people that I love. And no amount of money or business growth can ever compete with that!

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What are your thoughts on a seasonal “brain cleansing”? What helps you to reconnect with the things that bring you purpose and joy?