We’ve all been raised to believe that a busy life = a happy life, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The modern lifestyle does have its advantages over previous ways of living, but it also contributes to the stress and health crisis prevalent in many countries. We have more stuff, but less time to enjoy it. We have more doctors, but less health. It’s time to detox. We have more food, but less nutrition. The list could go on and on, but you get the point.
You can find countless detox methods online for your body, but very few people remember that the soul needs detoxing as well. Modern living is very burdensome on the spirit, so you need to do a cleanse from time to time. Below, we’ll go over some ways to lighten your spiritual load and spread your wings once again.
Here are 10 ways to detox your soul:
1. Remove negative people from your life
“Whether through overt cruelty, passive aggression, or just for the hell of it, toxic people prioritize their self-interest above everyone else’s. They refuse—or are unable—to consider another person’s perspective or emotional state. Not caring to acknowledge how their behavior affects others, they disregard personal boundaries, avoid admitting it when they’ve done wrong, and are unwilling to change.” – Katherine Schreiber, Psychology Today
Does this above quote sound like anyone in your life? If so, you need to realize that they will only change if they want to. You cannot make them change, and you shouldn’t count on it. If someone in your life makes you feel depressed, anxious, or just not like yourself, then you shouldn’t go out of your way to keep them around. Negative people will only bring you down, and can even make you sick. Do what you soul craves, and seek out people who will make you happy.
2. Clear out clutter
Physical clutter has been shown to cause anxiety and stress, which means it doesn’t just affect the space around you – it also leads to mental anguish. One surefire way to detox your soul is to minimize your possessions and only keep things you actually need. Once you have a clean work and living space, the clutter in your mind will start to diminish, too.
3. Keep yourself hydrated
Did you know that up to 75% of Americans live in a chronic state of dehydration? That statistic is from 2013, but it likely hasn’t changed much since then. People have become addicted to sugary, carbonated drinks that only increase dehydration and insulin spikes. Water is the most natural drink on the planet, yet people seem to have an aversion to it. Making sure you drink at least a gallon of water a day will give you increased energy, clearer skin, better digestive health, and balanced gut bacteria, to name a few benefits. This will help your body feel better, which will in turn give your soul just the boost it needs, too.
4. Eat a healthy diet
When we consume unhealthy foods, our mind and spirit take a beating right along with our body. The importance of eating whole, fresh, nutrient-rich foods cannot be stressed enough, because proper nutrition helps every function in our body. Without nutrients, we would not be able to survive, and the best source of vitamins and minerals is in fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and grass-fed meats. Keeping your diet in check and detox. It will help you feel better spiritually as well.
5. Meditate
We could write a whole book about the benefits of meditation, so to keep things brief, meditation is to spiritual health what fruits and veggies are to physical health. It can lower blood pressure and heart rate, increase concentration, improve relationships, help with mental clarity, contribute to feelings of peace, and even boost compassion for others. This is just a small list of benefits, but these alone should be enough to get you meditating! Just 5-10 minutes a day of sitting in silence, focusing on your breathing, and detaching from life for a bit will do wonders for your soul.
6. Treat yourself
In our fast-paced lives, we don’t spend nearly enough time pampering ourselves. With all of our responsibilities, there’s barely enough time left in the day to catch our breath. However, treating yourself every once in a while will give your mind a break from all of life’s stresses, and will just make you happier overall. Go ahead, eat that slice of cake or spend a little extra getting a massage. You deserve it.
7. Put down your phone
There’s really no argument to the fact that technology use has taken away from our quality of life. We spend less time talking to one another and more time scrolling mindlessly through (largely) useless information. Technology certainly has its place and benefits, but the way we use it in everyday life is detrimental to our well-being. Instead of going outside to play, kids would rather play on a tablet or watch hours of cartoons. Couples go out to eat and stare at their phones instead of one another. Parents scroll through Facebook instead of paying attention to their children. It’s because a real problem, and science has shown that overuse of technology is making us depressed and anxious.
Use some self-control and restrict your technology use to certain times during the day. You’ll be more present and mindful of your surroundings, and your mental and spiritual health will start to improve.
8. Move your body
The benefits of exercise are well-known, yet so many people live a sedentary lifestyle. Moving your body will help to free up your mind, which will help raise your spirits, too. There are so many different types of exercise; you just have to find one that works for you!
9. Find a job you enjoy
According to a Gallup poll, a whopping 70% of Americans are not engaged at work. That means that most people don’t like their jobs, but continue to work at them anyway. Of course, everyone must pay bills, and that is the driving force behind why people keep working at jobs they hate.
However, a little research and open-mindedness might grant you a job you actually do enjoy, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box. We don’t get to live forever, so we may as well make the most of our time here and have the courage to do what we love.
10. Get out into nature
Nature is reality; what we have created around it is not. Manmade creations will never give us the peace and serenity that nature does because we weren’t designed to live in an unnatural world. Make sure you take time to spend in nature as much as possible; it will help you reset your mind and rejuvenate your soul.
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