Mental Detox - Weekly Wellness Challenge
Updated: Jul 24, 2022
Ever heard of toxic thoughts? Well, believe it or not, if left unchecked certain thoughts can become toxic and negatively influence our experience on an energetic and emotional level and later manifest physically. Thoughts are real and could have a greater influence on our lives than we might be aware of. Do we need to be afraid of thoughts? No! And before we go any further, let's be very clear about a few things.
Thoughts are not good or bad.
Thoughts are not a part of us.
Thoughts merely pass through our experience and we can choose how much attention we would like to pay to them or how long we would like them to stick around.
Thoughts should not be repressed but acknowledged.
When we concentrate on negative thoughts we energize them, which makes them stronger and makes the concept behind them more real or effective, but remember, the original thought wasn’t good or bad - just passing through. Dealing with toxic thoughts has nothing to do with “Positive Thinking” in the popular sense of the term, it is a process of becoming aware of and managing our thoughts, so that we can function from a place where our minds are calm and we are in control of what we think. The good news is that nobody can tell us what to think except ourselves and toxic thoughts or thinking patterns can be dealt with very effectively.
For This week's Wellness challenge we are going to do a mental detox and clear our minds of thoughts that do not serve us in a joyful and beneficial way. For the moment, we have no intention to replace any thoughts with different ones, because thoughts can give us important messages about our inner beliefs and emotions which should not be repressed, but dealt with appropriately. Later we will learn how to deal with the root causes of our thoughts and then we will replace some of these thought-creating beliefs with ones that seem more desirable.
Let’s start with simple exercise:
Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed and sit down comfortably with your back straight, hands in your lap and eyes closed.
Take 3 deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and as you exhale through your mouth, consciously release all tension in your mind and body.
Now just become aware of your thoughts, one by one as they arise. Keep in mind that thoughts are not good or bad and do not judge or become attached to any thought.
Isolate each thought as it comes along and observe it as if it is somewhere in front of you - not a part of you. Remember not to judge the thought as good or bad, knowing that it is neutral and harmless.
Now gently release the thought to pass on, out of your experience and do the same with the next thought.
When you are ready to end the process, say this affirmation three times, mentally or out loud:
“My mind is at peace and I choose wisely which thoughts to allow into my mind.”
Now gently bring your awareness back to your body and when you are ready, open your eyes.
You may repeat this exercise as often you like, but try to do it at least once a day for at least five minutes. This will help you become more aware of your thoughts and allow them to move on instead of becoming attached to and energizing them.
