8 Simple Tips for Quieting the Noise in Your Mind

Do you ever feel like there’s so much going on you can’t hear the sound of your own voice?

Kids, projects, clients, chores, errands, housework, community events, friends, partner, pets… the list goes on!

And when you’re a professional or business owner, this list just grows, and grows and grows!

Overwhelm feels like it’s on the horizon and all of a sudden you have to add “prevent burnout” to your never ending list.

I used to be one of those professional women who did not stop for a second. From the second the alarm went off in the morning until I collapsed in my bed at night, I was ALL GO!

 Adding more to your list to prevent burnout? Is that an oxymoron?

At one point, a friend suggested I go to yoga with her. I honestly laughed out loud.

“I would be rushing to relax!” I said.

If my exercise didn’t involve running or high-impact aerobics (those were the days!) I didn’t want to do it.

I operated very well for many years like this… until I had kids.

Then my life seemed to catapult to a whole new level of crazy.

Interestingly, it took me awhile to come to grips with the fact that I didn’t need my career to be so

high-paced anymore because my homelife was so high-paced.

I couldn’t be high-paced, all the time.

Something had to give.

I learned that I needed to develop ways to listen to the sound of my own voice again.

Here are eight ways to turn off the noise in your brain so you can listen to the sound of your own voice:

  1. Meditation:
    Practicing mindfulness meditation can help clear your mind by focusing your attention on the present moment and letting go of distracting thoughts. This is a practice I’ve been cultivating for years. It was a God-send for me during those Covid years and now. I love to calm my mind for a few minutes at the beginning of the day and the end of the day to listen to the sound of my voice and to centre myself for another busy day. You can check out my favourite mediation app here. There are plenty more!

    A person sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed, hands resting on their knees, and a serene expression on their face, practicing mindfulness meditation to avoid burnout

  2. Exercise:
    Physical activity can reduce stress and anxiety, which are common causes of mental noise. Just today, I found myself in the middle of a stressful conversation and I had the desire to put on my running shoes and go for a magnificent, soul-filling RUN! Yes, a run. I’ve been running for over 30 years now, and while my current pace may not match the races of my 20-something youth, the thrill of exercise and the meditative pounding of my feet never ceases to leave me feeling refreshed, with a clear head and a healthier heart. What’s your favourite form of exercise?
  3. Journaling:
    Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you process and release them, leading to a clearer mind. This was my strategy as a tormented teen. I still have volumes of “Dear Diaries” lying around the house here somewhere. (Heaven help me, I must burn them before the kids find them!) Today, that meditative journalling still happens. Have you heard of Julia Cameron’s Morning Pages? Check it out! It’s a beautiful no pressure way to sort through thoughts and feelings and release that stress or pent-up energy.
  4. Deep Breathing:
    Taking slow, deep breaths can help you relax and calm your mind. I used to think that’s why people smoked. Lol. So they could go outside, take some deep breaths for 10 minutes or so, and then return to work after their “smoke break.” How about if we had “breathing breaks?” Might they achieve the same thing? Try it!
  5. Nature Walks:
    Spending time in nature and enjoying the peacefulness of your surroundings can help quiet your mind. Anyone who follows me on social media knows I’m an avid hiker and downhill skier, depending on the season. Getting OUTSIDE is the cure for me. Time with friends and family, getting exercise, taking in the beauty of our world. It’s the necessary balm on my hard-working soul. How about you?

    woman walking her dog on a sidewalk covered with leaves

  6. Digital Detox:
    Taking a break from technology, social media, and other distractions can help reduce mental noise. OK, I may not be so great at this, but putting that phone away for an evening, a weekend, a week! Is amazing. Try it! You’ll find your self-imposed ADD is quiet, if just for a little while.
  7. Time Management:
    Anyone who follows me on my business social knows I spend a lot of time talking about time management. Trying to find that ever-elusive solution to maximizing your time and feeling productive is the bane of many an existence. What I know is clearing your mind at the beginning of each day and ensuring you’re accomplishing THE most important things will help clear the clutter. Time-blocking works wonders too! Check out one of my past articles on this topic here: How to get out of your own way and be more productive.
  8. RETREAT!
    A weekend away, out in nature, away from the busyness of your life – is a must, in my mind, for the busy professional women. Taking time away from the hectic nature of her life, even just for a little while, allows her to actually hear the sound of her OWN voice again; to listen to the cry of her heart for what’s most important; and to take many deep breathing breaks – combined with yoga, guided conversation and thoughtful introspection in community with equally ambitious (yet overworked) women – to listen to the sound of her own voice about what’s most important, now.

A break from the busyness image branded in Susans colours

Here’s a shameless plug for my annual retreat – in service of you. We have just a few spots left – and it’s coming up May 4 – 7, 2023 in beautiful Canmore, Alberta, Check out the resource page for more information and to sign up! I promise you, you’ll never regret taking this time away for yourself.

What’s another benefit of clearing the noise clutter to listen to the sound of your own voice and implementing the strategies above? Prevent burnout.  By prioritizing self-care and implementing strategies to clear mental clutter and manage your time more effectively, you can take a few more steps towards finding that ever-elusive work/life balance you may be seeking.

To your Aligned Success!

 

 

 

 

P.S. Need help clearing the noise from your mind? Connect with me for a complimentary strategy session to help you listen to the sound of your own voice again.

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