The Importance of Mental Hygiene

Does this happen to you sometimes?

You feel useless.

You’ve hit an obstacle you don’t know how to get past.

I’ve been there hundreds of times. I call it “wandering in the desert.”

While we have been pivoting as a company, there are moments where I can’t see the forest from the trees. It’s times like this when I need to take a step back.

Personally I:

• Take deep breaths
• Take a quick walk
• Take a break from current work
• Take time to grab a coffee

Just hitting that “reset” button in any way I can. This is what I call mental hygiene. I define mental hygiene as ways we can maintain our mental health. And I think brain resets are a great way to keep things focused and in-order! Sometimes I feel like I’m not being productive if I take a break, but that’s when you need to realize mental hygiene is as important as actually getting the task done! (Because how can you when your brain is too fogged up?)

Putting distance between yourself and the problem helps you reproach it with a different mindset. Stepping away from the problem means completely distracting myself from the issue so I can come back to it with fresh eyes!

Sometimes I beat myself up because I feel like I’m not being productive. But I think it’s important to know that re-framing your mind to solve an issue is the definition of productivity! Otherwise, you’ll keep spinning your wheels. After you level out your emotions, look at the issue from a new angle, and try again!

And when you choose to “forge ahead” you usually have blind spots and are functioning at only 60% effort. Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is step back and clear your mind! It’s a productive step in the creative process! Your brain needs to breathe too!

I hope you keep these ideas in mind the next time you find yourself “wandering in the desert.”