In a previous post, we talked about exercises in calming ourselves. I would like to highlight a few more to give you a variety.
Meditation. There are great benefits to for two to five minutes of meditation a day. It gives you the opportunity to be present in the moment and let go of anything that no longer serves. Sometimes we think meditation needs to look or be a certain way, like having no thoughts at all. That’s impossible! Instead, what you can do if your mind wanders, treat it as if you were training a puppy and gently bring your awareness the puppy back to the paper, or in this case, the present moment. You’ll begin to feel your heartrate drop and your breathing slower and calm washing over your body.
Be in Nature. Find a way to be in nature even for a few minutes. It could be a walk around your neighborhood; a visit to a local park; a sit on your back porch listening to the birds and admiring the trees and clouds and sunsets. Short amounts of time enhance your mood and lower your stress levels.
Stand Still with Your Hand on Your Heart. I adapted this from my training as a minister. As we would work with others, we would ask our clients to put their hands on their hearts. I find that it immediately grounds me and brings me to the present. I am also enjoying the stillness. This works great in long lines at the store or in traffic!
Laughter. Some mind find this a little questionable, but there are studies that show how having a hearty laugh makes you feel lighter, allowing you to let go of life’s frustrations. Watch your favorite comedians on YouTube, search for comedy films on Netflix; call your favorite funny friend; or join a Laughter Yoga class. Sometimes when we take life too seriously, we need to step back and get a different perspective.
Self-Care. When was the last time you took time for yourself, away from everyday stresses and activities? Take time to get a massage; take a long bath; give yourself a foot rub or ask someone else to give you one. Any of the calming ideas above can also be considered self-care!
May your journey find moments and clips of peace and calm. Feel free to share with me any ideas you have for bringing more calm into your life.
FOR MORE CALMING IDEAS.