We all know being busy has its advantages, but sometimes when our plate is full, our brain goes on overtime. We lose sleep, productivity, and well-being. Here are some potential advantages of "emptying your mind":

• Reduced stress and anxiety. Clearing your mind and thoughts, even for a few minutes, can help relax both your body and mind. This can lower stress hormones.

• Greater focus and concentration. Having fewer racing thoughts lets you direct your attention more singularly. This helps with concentration, allowing you to focus better on work, reading, or other mentally demanding tasks.

• Increased creativity. An uncluttered mind has more room for new ideas to arise. Letting go of busy thoughts can allow more creative insights and inspiration to bubble up from your subconscious.

• Enhanced problem-solving. It's easier to think through challenges and find solutions with less mental chatter getting in the way. Quieting your mind provides clarity.

• More mindfulness. Focusing on the present moment instead of rehashing the past or imagining the future leads to greater mindfulness and attentiveness to your here-and-now experiences.

• Inner calm and peace. Removing excess mental noise leaves you feeling more tranquil, grounded and at ease within yourself. This inner stillness is restorative.

• Deeper sleep. Racing thoughts can keep people up at night. Clearing your mind before bedtime lets the body relax into deeper, more restorative sleep.

The key is finding brief respites where you consciously let go of active thinking and allow your mind to temporarily "empty." This gives it a reset and refresh. But it takes regular practice to build the skill.