JANUARY HAS come to an end and our willpower (despite our lists of New Year’s Resolutions) and bank balances are dwindling.

We, in turn, become increasingly body conscious and worry more. Negative thoughts, poor self-esteem, stress, frustration and even pain, are just as toxic as substances. They can send you into overdrive.

We are detoxing, juicing and cleansing and working out, but what about the importance of detoxing our minds?

What if we were to start a detox a little different to the norm? Rather than focusing solely on shifting that belly, finding a new partner or booking that holiday, why not set a list of mental goals?

I believe that going to therapy once a week is just as important as going to the gym. In many cases, even more so. The mind is incredibly powerful. The mind can convince us to do unthinkable things. It can convince us to lose the will to live. Why then do we not take better care of it? We are willing to work with a personal trainer to achieve the body of our dreams, but why are we so reluctant to work with a professional on the mind of our dreams?

In 2014, The University of Toronto conducted a research project into BAME women in the UK and mental health. They found that African Caribbean women have the highest prevalence of serious mental illness such as psychosis. They also discovered that the absence of African Caribbean and black women from clinical data to be especially surprising in the context of the over-representation of African Caribbeans in psychiatric hospitals. The New Year is the perfect time to renew and re-energise the mind, body and soul ready for the coming year. As the year speeds up, try these detox recipes and begin cleansing your mind.

1. Pause and Prepare
In the chaos of modern life we are often surrounded by noise. Televisions are blaring, our phones are constantly on. Take time out to be in silence. Think about the things that trouble you most and meditate on realistic solutions.

2. Stop overthinking
Filling the mind with anxious and angry thoughts can hold you back. Not everything needs to be analysed and dwelled upon. There’ll always be things that threaten your peace.
Try to practice prioritising your thoughts. Focus on those things that truly matter and throw away the thoughts that hold you down.

3. Start living life in the present, as this is where life happens
Nowadays we seem to constantly look behind us or ahead of us but rarely enjoy today. None of us know what tomorrow holds, so be sure to be at peace within the day you are in. Tell your loved ones how precious they are.
Do something spontaneous. Forgive people who disappoint you and savour today.

4. Therapy is not a dirty word
All too often we view therapy as a kind of weakness, something people do when they ‘can’t cope’. It is actually a sign of great strength to step forward and seek help with organising your thoughts and emotions. This process doesn’t necessarily involve ‘digging up the past’ (although this too can be the key to moving forward in life). Modern therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy work to solve current problems and change unhelpful thinking and behaviour in areas like parenting phobias and a stressful job.

If we can make time to go to the gym and hone our body muscles, surely we can make time for a ‘mind workout’.

Book an appointment with your GP to discuss how you can best seek help and support that suits your lifestyle.

Whether you’re living life in the fast or the slow lane, take a few moments to inhale, exhale and work out what’s going on within you.

I promise you it will be worth it.

Be Present. Be Mindful. Be Whole.