24 Ways to Eliminate Mental Chaos in 2024

January 02, 2024

Considering a sober lifestyle, even temporally, is a big deal! Here are 24 ways to help bring internal peace to your mind and your life during Dry January and beyond.

  1. Declutter Your Space: Start by throwing out everything you don’t need, including that third set of Tupperware. Because let’s face it, those lids are never coming back. Those socks with no mates? They are going to remain single forever. Accept it.

  2. Limit Social Media: Reduce your social media time before your thumb develops a scrolling muscle. Even your brain reading something that disturbs you will not do you any favors, let alone commenting on it. Consider a short term social fast.

  3. Practice Saying ‘No’: Saying ‘no’ more often is less about being rude and more about not wanting to wear pants on weekends.

  4. Create a Morning Routine: Make a morning routine that doesn’t involve hitting snooze eight times.

  5. Journal Regularly: Write down your thoughts. It’s like gossiping with yourself and there’s zero chance of a privacy breach.

  6. Prioritize Sleep: Treat sleep like a sacred ritual, not an afterthought. Your bed is not just for throwing clean laundry on.

  7. Eat Healthily: Swap fast food for something green. No, mint chocolate chip ice cream doesn’t count.

  8. Stay Hydrated: Drink water like your life depends on it, because, well, it does.

  9. Learn Mindfulness or Meditation: Try mindfulness. It’s like giving your brain a chill pill without the side effects.

  10. Set Boundaries: Setting boundaries is like installing an emotional security system.

  11. Plan Regular Breaks: Take breaks. It’s adult recess and it’s still cool.

  12. Explore a New Hobby: Find a hobby that doesn’t involve binge-watching TV shows. Your couch will thank you.

  13. Read More Books: Read books. They’re like the internet, but without pop-up ads.

  14. Limit News Consumption: Cut down on the news. Stay informed, not scared.

  15. Seek Professional Help if Needed: If you’re struggling, see a therapist. It’s like debugging your brain.

  16. Practice Deep Breathing: Breathe deeply, especially before sending that passive-aggressive email.

  17. Cultivate Positive Relationships: Hang out with people who lift you up, not those who think ‘drama’ is a hobby.

  18. Laugh More: Laugh daily. It’s like internal jogging but way more fun.

  19. Volunteer or Help Others: Help others. It’s like giving your soul a high-five.

  20. Be Kind to Yourself: Be as nice to yourself as you are to your pet. Yes, you deserve treats too.

  21. Organize Your Time: Organize your time like you’re the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, even if it’s just for managing your Netflix schedule.

  22. Challenge Negative Thoughts: Battle negative thoughts like a superhero. Your superpower? Unwavering optimism.

  23. Embrace Imperfection: Perfection is overrated. Embrace the chaos – it’s what makes life interesting.

  24. Celebrate Small Wins: Celebrate the small stuff. Got out of bed today? That’s a win in my book.

Remember, mental clarity depends on the elimination of until chaos. We simply don’t have room in our brains for the clutter and new ideas at the same time. That’s why we have to remove things in our lives that no longer serve us in order to make room for new things that do. Even adopting one or two of these changes is a great start!

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. 

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If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

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