6 Ways to Be Kind to Your Mind

Remember these when things get complicated.

Remember these when things get complicated.

Photo by Alexandru Zdrobău on Unsplash

“We’re moving into plank.”

I’ve not been a fan of the plank. My mind and body freeze when my yoga teacher directs us to plank. My preconceived notions kick in: This is going to be complicated. I’m not strong enough. How long do we have to do this?

So, there I was, body stretched flat like a plank, arms strong, abs and core stitched tight. Holding my breath.

“Breathe.”

We were in a modified sun salutation sequence. Plank to downward dog, plank to downward dog. Moving with the breath, plank, down dog.

My mind and body fought it. Oh-no-this-is-going-to-be-hard. Then the yoga teacher said —

“Find the place between effort and ease.”

Then, something happened. After years of practicing yoga, mindfulness, and meditation and confronting the plank, something clicked—a subtle click.

It wasn’t the first time she’d used the phrase, but it was the first time I got it. The first time, my plank mind connected with my plank body. I swear I floated from plank to downward dog. It became effortless ease. As soon as my mind stopped fighting, things fell into that space.

It got me thinking about how that same subtle shift can be applied to everyday situations. Imagine working, writing, relating, and living there, in the space between effort and ease.

The place between effort and ease; it’s the perfect definition of balance.

The next day, during a meditation, the guide said —

“Be kind to your mind.”

My mind exhaled if that’s possible. It felt possible.

We overload our minds, pack a lot in there, and then have high expectations for what our minds can hold. Our minds also need balance, the place between effort and ease — mind kindness, if you will — to function best.

We are the ones in control of our minds, which at times, we forget. What a profound honor and responsibility to mine our minds, practice mindfulness, and find the place between effort and ease. To be kind to our minds.

Here are six ways to be kind to your mind:

Mine your attention —

Notice. You are your attention owner. No person or thing gets your mind’s attention unless you give it to them. Mine and curate your attention. It’s one of your most valuable assets, so be selective about to whom and what you provide your attention.

Create thought boundaries —

Just as we can set boundaries in our relationships, we can set boundaries around the thoughts we allow into our minds. When we set thought boundaries, a negative or judgmental thought is removed, replaced by a positive or loving thought. Ask the question: Is this thought for my best and highest good? If it’s not, the question becomes: what is a better and higher thought?

Get quiet and rest —

The mind gets tired, just like the body. Pull back from all screens for a while. Set a timer for a digital timeout. Meditate. Sleep.

Ingest thought nourishment —

Read nourishing words and follow authors, columnists, and listen to podcasters who lift you. Listen to slow, calming music. “When we listen to music, or we make music, the reward center of our brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with reward and motivation,” says music therapist, Tim Ringgold.

Roam Freely —

It’s healthy to allow your thoughts to roam, free, imagination at play. Research shows this leads to relaxation and exploring fresh ideas. Open your journal and allow your thoughts to roam freely onto the page.

Utilize an inquiry —

An inquiry is a way for the mind to focus on a clear and intentional question. When the inquiry is meant to raise your vibrations and elevate and equalize your energy, it can become a mantra. A mantra that becomes juice for the mind.

My kind-to-the-mind mantra is a question.

What will bring me ease right now?

Just uttering the question brings ease. Try it. The question becomes a mantra as it nourishes the spirit, breathes the body, and is kind to the mind.

In conclusion —

The dots connect. Ask yourself the question, what will bring me ease right now? Find the place between effort and ease, and be kind to your mind.

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