Have you ever heard of the term “monkey mind”? I hadn’t until my counselor told me I had it during a recent session. It is something I can relate to and now I am looking for ways to deal with it. If you have a monkey mind, maybe these suggestions will be helpful to you, too!

What is “Monkey Mind?”

“Monkey mind” is a term from Buddhism that refers to a restless, unsettled, or confused state of mind. It’s when your thoughts jump from one idea to another, much like a monkey swinging from tree to tree. This mental state can be distracting, making it difficult to focus or achieve a sense of inner peace.

How Can We Deal With Monkey Mind?

Here are some strategies you can try to deal with monkey mind:

1. Mindfulness Meditation: Practice focusing on your breath or a single point of attention to train your mind to stay in the present moment.

2. Deep Breathing: Use deep, slow breaths to calm the nervous system and bring your focus back to the present.

3. Physical Exercise: Engage in activities like yoga, walking, or other forms of exercise to help reduce mental restlessness. My favorites are Tai Chi and Qigong.

4. Limit Multitasking: Focus on one task at a time to reduce mental clutter and improve concentration. And focus on doing the task slowly and deliberately.

5. Create a Routine: Establishing a daily routine can help create a sense of order and stability in your mind.

6. Reduce Stimuli: Limit exposure to distractions such as social media, news, and other sources of information overload. I don’t watch the news and I put my phone away when I am waiting in line or in a waiting room and just look around at things.

7. Journal: Writing down your thoughts can help clear your mind and make it easier to focus. This is a great way to cope with monkey mind and many mental health issues which is why I started this blog “Write into the Light!”

8. Good sleep: Ensure you get enough rest, as sleep is crucial for mental clarity and focus.

Hopefully, these techniques can help you and me manage and reduce the effects of a monkey mind, leading to a clearer head and a feeling of peace and calm.

What other strategies can you think of to cope with monkey mind?