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How to achieve mental peace in 2025

What you can control

In today’s hyper-connected world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant noise of social media, news feeds, and online debates. With so many opinions, trends, and updates vying for our attention, it can be difficult to focus on what truly matters. But here’s the thing: You don’t have to engage with every piece of chatter. Instead, you can take a step back, focus on what you can control, and reclaim your mental peace. Here’s how:

 

Control

The first step in regaining focus is understanding what’s actually within your control. However, while it might feel like the opinions of others or the constant flood of news have some level of influence over you, the truth is that you can’t control other people’s actions or beliefs.

Above all focus on the aspects of your life where your actions and decisions have power. This includes your habits, your mindset, your relationships, and your goals. You can control how you respond to events, how you spend your time, and what information you choose to consume.

Social media can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a great way to connect, share ideas, and stay informed. But on the other hand, it’s also a breeding ground for negativity, comparison, and distractions. Setting clear boundaries with social media is key to maintaining your mental health.

Consider:

  • Limiting your time on social platforms. Tools like screen time trackers can help you manage usage.
  • Muting or unfollowing accounts that consistently bring negativity, drama, or unproductive chatter into your feed.
  • Turning off notifications so you aren’t constantly interrupted by updates that pull you away from your priorities.

Mindfulness is a powerful tool for regaining focus. It allows you to become aware of your thoughts and emotions without getting swept away by them. When you find yourself drawn into the chatter of social media or overwhelmed by external events, pause and check in with yourself. Ask:

  • What am I feeling right now?
  • Is this something I can control or influence?
  • How do I want to respond?

By practicing mindfulness, you can stay present and intentional in how you engage with the world around you. This helps you maintain your mental clarity and stay focused on what really matters to you.

The news cycle is designed to capture attention with sensational headlines and dramatic stories. While staying informed is important, it’s also essential to recognize when the constant barrage of bad news starts to affect your mood and outlook. Give yourself permission to step back and limit exposure to distressing content.

Instead of checking news apps or social media every few minutes, designate specific times during the day to catch up on the news—whether it’s 15 minutes in the morning or after dinner. This reduces the emotional drain and helps you focus on the things you can control.

When you’re clear about your goals and values, external distractions lose their power. Define what’s most important to you, whether it’s your health, relationships, career, or personal development. When you encounter social media chatter or external noise that doesn’t align with your values, you can more easily dismiss it.

Keep a journal or a vision board that reminds you of your goals. Regularly check in with yourself to see if your actions align with your bigger vision. By staying focused on your purpose, it becomes easier to let go of the things that don’t serve you.

Your mental health should always be a top priority. Engaging with constant social media chatter, particularly negative content, can take a toll on your well-being. Take time each day to nourish your mind with positive activities like reading, exercising, meditating, or spending time in nature.

If you feel like social media is negatively impacting your mental health, it’s okay to take a break. Consider stepping away for a few days or even weeks to reset. A digital detox can help you reconnect with yourself and refocus on the aspects of life that truly matter.

At the end of the day, you have the power to choose what you engage with and how you spend your time. The more you focus on what you can control, the less impact external noise will have on your life. You can’t control the opinions of others or the state of the world, but you can control your response and how you allocate your energy.

Let go of the things that are out of your hands. Focus on nurturing your mind, body, and spirit, and remember that peace comes from within. By focusing on what you can control, you’ll create space for more joy, clarity, and fulfillment in your life.

Stephanie Phillips, LCMHCS

Stephanie Phillips, LCMHCS, NCC, CCTP is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Owner of  The Mindly Group.

Mindly Tips

2025-01-16T10:09:13-05:00

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