The ability to think clearly and reason accurately will never be overrated. Today, we have many Americans walking around constantly distracted, while a host of others exist in a practical daze.
Neither state is productive whatsoever.
A number of factors are in play here, including diet and sleep. Most overlooked may be the average person's lack of understanding of himself and his own values.
Our lives are full of distractions, all vying for our attention. Having a clearer head will increase your level of success, your enjoyment of it, and your overall sense of wellbeing.
Try these tips to enjoy greater mental clarity:
1. Start with your diet. Caffeine, sugar, and all the chemicals found in processed foods can work against mental clarity. No one likes to change their diet, but it may be the most important thing you can do to improve your ability to think clearly and concentrate.
A good place to start: stay natural. If a particular food item didn’t have a mother or come from a plant or tree, don’t eat it. If you are me, that pretty much means meat, apples, and some grains. (Once the holiday candy is gone…)
2. Get enough sleep. It's a scientific reality that seven to eight hours of sleep is best for the vast majority of the adult population. You might think you do well with six hours or less but try giving seven hours a chance for a week before making a final decision.
3. Know your values. When you know your values and live by them, making decisions becomes easier. It’s when you lack an understanding of what’s important that decisions become difficult. Think about your values and write them down. Review them regularly.
4. Remove distractions. Distractions include everything in your environment and emotional space that steal your attention. What do you find yourself doing or thinking about instead of doing what you should be doing? Eliminate these things from your life.
5. Meditate. Meditation is great for removing mental clutter. Get your hands on a book or take a course and learn how to meditate. Meditate daily. It’s an important skill to learn and master. Be patient and soon you’ll see the benefits.
6. Prayer. Prayer is simple and natural. Many prayers are also meditations. Take the Holy Rosary, for example. The repetition of the prayers one recites for each of the fifteen Mysteries and Fruits of the Holy Rosary are meditative. Each Mystery becomes the center of a meditation as the person's attention becomes focused on it. Pope Leo XIII said, “The Rosary is the most excellent form of prayer and the most efficacious means of attaining eternal life. It is the remedy for all our evils, the root of all our blessings. There is no more excellent way of praying.”
7. Take frequent, scheduled breaks. One way to keep your mind clear is to take breaks, even when you feel like you don’t need one. When you realize that you need a break, it’s too late! Studies show that a ten-minute break each hour is about right for most people. You’ll accomplish more, too.
8. Have goals. Goals are useful in many ways, but perhaps their greatest utility is in the clarity they provide. Goals provide focus. Not sure what to do? Consider thinking about an "imagined future" instead. Without a lodestar—like your goals or imagined future—you’re just drifting through life.
How would you rate your mental clarity?
Are you clear on your values and who you are as a person? Are you easily distracted? Do you find it hard to focus for long periods of time?
Go back and use these tips to enhance your mental clarity.
With greater mental clarity you will get more accomplished each day. Ensure you’re getting enough sleep and eating properly. If you're still struggling, consider talking with someone about it.
As always,
Brian
P.S. — For more detail, and for all the prayers and particular methods of praying the Rosary, Taylor Marshall wrote a fantastic little book called The Rosary in 50 Pages.
You can get the free e-book at his website https://taylormarshall.com/books
or you can buy it on Amazon:
