No sane person has ever claimed they had a mind that was too clear and peaceful. However, we would all like to feel less cluttered and more peaceful and relaxed.

Decluttering your mind is largely the result of decluttering all aspects of your life.

We tend to put too many burdens on our minds, but there is a more effective way to live. With a few simple hacks, you can reduce the load on your mind and give it the peace it craves.

Add serenity to your life with these techniques:

1. Recognise the challenging people in your life. It could be a dramatic friend, an annoying workmate or boss or a demanding relative. Some of those people are necessary in your life, however you can control your exposure to them.

• Be willing to let go of the people that can feel as though they are sapping you of energy by distancing yourself. Take back your own time to do the things you love and give them less of your personal time.

2. Remove unnecessary activities from your life. This could be committees you serve on, sports teams you play on, or going out on Friday nights. Maybe you are doing an exercise class with a friend but realise that you are not enjoying it that much. Cut these activities out of your life and gain the gift of time.

3. Declutter your environment. Your mind and inner peace are affected by your environment. This includes your home, workspace, and anywhere else you spend a significant amount of time. Have you ever noticed how nice it feels when your home is clean? With a little organisation you can harness that feeling more often.

• Arrange for someone to clean your home once a week to free up time and enjoy the release of those jobs that are not particularly enjoyable.
• Clear out cupboards and areas that are congested with items that are no longer of use.

4. Meditate. Meditation might be the ultimate way to declutter your mind and enjoy inner peace. Meditation is quite simple but challenging to do well. However, it is possible to receive many benefits from meditation even if you’re a beginner.

• There are many resources online that can teach you the basics of meditation.

• Even five minutes a day sitting and emptying your mind of thoughts can have beneficial effects.

5. Write things down. Trying to remember things puts a huge load on your mind. You can never truly relax when you must remember to do something. Write things down and use alarms. Knowing that something else will keep track of your obligations for you will allow your mind to relax.

6. Mono-task. Multitasking is not suitable for everyone. Limit yourself to one task at a time as this invites mindfulness. You will feel better and get much more accomplished.

• Try it for a day. Do one task at a time and focus all your attention on that task. Notice how much better you feel while working and at the end of the day.

7. Make fewer decisions. The fewer decisions you have to make each day, the more inner peace you’ll feel.

• For example, limiting your wardrobe makes it easier to figure out what to wear each day. Even better, pick out your outfit for the following day before you go to bed.

• You can eat the same healthy breakfast each morning or have a list of appetising choices on the fridge.

• Look for ways to minimize the number of decisions you must make.

8. Get enough sleep. Notice how cluttered your mind feels after a poor night of sleep. Experiment to determine the proper amount of sleep your mind and body need each night.

9. Limit your exposure to the news and social media. It can be easy to glance at what is happening in the world without immersing yourself in the news every day.

Treat your mind like you would an injured body part. You would reduce the amount of work it has to do and treat it gently. Most of us ask our minds to do more than it was designed to do. Give your mind a break and gain the peace you crave!