6 signs that hint towards a monkey mind and how to calm it down

Just like a monkey loves to swing and jump around from one branch to another, a ‘Moneky mind’ likes to jump from one thought to another. And while a swinging monkey looks adorable, a swinging mind that does not let you focus is surely not! Having a ‘monkey mind’ means that the mind is constantly restless, in an unsettled state, and you cannot focus on one thing for long. The thoughts are scattered, distractions become a hated friend, and sleep bids you bye. And if you are in a similar mental state, here we mention 6 signs that could sound similar and how to calm the monkey down.

When you have a monkey mind, your thoughts become scattered. One moment you’re thinking about deadlines, the next, you’re worried about an upcoming event, and the next you are hungry and craving a specific brand of ice cream. And this jumping happens every day, every hour, which makes it hard to stay present in the moment.If this sounds familiar, one of the easiest ways to calm your mind would be through meditation. Sit for a few minutes every day, and try to focus your thoughts on the word and chant ‘OM’. The vibrations and energy you feel inside will be calming and powerful and help get a hold of your thoughts.

Being restless and fidgety throughout the day could also be a sign of a monkey mind. This restlessness can be physical, or mental, and will leave you feeling agitated. You will want to look for something new to do, something will always bug you, and there will just be no satisfaction in general in your mind. And if this sounds similar to how you have been feeling, an easy way to calm down would be through Yoga. Everyday, for about 20-30 minutes, relax and tire out your body through Yoga or any other physical activity.

A monkey mind is easily distracted. Like a monkey that gets attracted to a banana first, and then a shell next, the monkey mind too gets attracted to things and then quickly moves on to someplace else. So, if you have a monkey mind, you will notice yourself starting a task but quickly will shift to checking your phone, browsing your Instagram, or just feeling like snacking.
If this sounds like you, one of the best ways to calm this sign would be by clearing the clutter in your mind. Focus on the task at hand and complete it as soon as possible. And although it is easier said than done, after forcing yourself for 3-5 days, there will be a difference.

​Another sign of a monkey mind is an inability to focus. Focusing on a single task or thought can feel impossible when your mind is racing, and races against the other thought or task no less. And when this happens, you will feel unable to complete the tasks at hand and then a sense of failure will creep in. So, to remove this sign of the monkey mind, meditation is the best solution. Every day, for at least 5 minutes, meditate and focus just on your breathing. See how your nose clears up, how the air is getting inside you, how your mind feels, and just observe yourself.
And once you get better at this, making lists of tasks to let you stay on track is a good option.

A monkey mind that swings from one place to another can never complete the task on the first branch. And so, procrastination becomes the best friend of a monkey mind. People who have a distracted mind often find themselves putting off tasks, especially if they seem overwhelming or require focus.
So, to evade this, try to set goals for yourself every day, and time limits for those goals. For example, suppose you have made a task list and 5 tasks need to be done. Your monkey mind will make you jump from one task to another and leave some mid-way, but when you assign a certain time limit to the task, you force the mind into pressure that eventually gets things done.

A monkey mind doesn’t shut off easily at night, making it hard to fall asleep. You might find yourself lying awake, replaying the events of the day or worrying about the future. When this becomes constant, and your sleep schedule is disturbed, doing the normal tasks also becomes a hassle. So, to prevent the monkey mind from taking over your sleep, it is best to create a sleep routine for yourself. Read before going to bed, keep away any electronics and phone distractions, and just let your mind and body unwind before you are off to sleep.