With nearly everything we need available at the touch of our fingers and the constant rise of technology that binds us all and makes our lives go faster, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and stress in our daily lives. Always, there is something new to do, somewhere else to rush off to and more often than not, this has taken a toll on our well-being. Staying calm and on top of our lives is a challenge, but here are little things we can do to stay zen as we get caught in the everyday mad rush.
Meditate
It’s as simple as having time for yourself to quiet your mind. By closing your eyes for 5-10 minutes a day and going somewhere quiet, you can promote a healthy immune system and stimulate your body’s self-healing abilities, not to mention the relaxation it offers when you are alone and enjoying moments of peace and quiet amidst your otherwise stressful days.
Be grateful for what you have
Make it a habit to wake up every morning thinking about the good things in your life. Remember why you’re thankful to have these and you’ll be surprised how much these help you focus and stay happy! It also helps to keep a journal and write down everything good that happened in your day, sending a signal to your subconscious to remember fond memories as you sleep and relax. You’ll definitely have something to be thankful for in the morning – keep the cycle going!
Switch up your thoughts
Remember good thoughts and make an active effort to focus on them when the going gets tough. You’re in control of your mind, and your thoughts positively affect your stress levels. When you’re stressed, it helps to recall something funny or relaxing and uplift your mood.
Laugh it all out
There’s nothing a good laugh can’t cure. Think of something funny, or even force yourself to laugh, and soon you’ll be releasing all your stress and worries with good old laughter. The more humor you live your life with, the easier and more fun life itself becomes!
Get enough restful sleep
This one’s no secret either – sleep has long been associated with good health, relaxation and time for the body to re-energize itself after long days. It’s recommended to get 7-8 hours of restful sleep every night. Missing a few hours of these raises your stress hormone levels for the entire next day, so make it a habit to regularly get the sleep you need.
Eat well
Keeping yourself healthy by maintaining good nutrition translates to optimal blood sugar levels, balanced hormones, high energy, healthy moods and emotions and good cognitive ability. It’s processed foods that largely cause negative effects on nutrition, so remember to go with the healthier option each chance you get.
Stay active
Regular physical activity keeps you healthy, relaxed and happy. Exercise helps regulate your bodily functions, makes you stronger, stimulates the release of endorphins that make you happy, complements your efforts to eat right and even sharpens the mind and helps you organize your thoughts – thus helping avoid having them all over the place, which causes stress.
Engage in welcome distractions
Distractions sound counterproductive amidst all the deadlines and work to be done to survive, but doing something you love gives you a break and takes your mind off the stress bothering you and hounding your thoughts. Keeping your distance with even the smallest break puts things into perspective, and you’ll find yourself refreshed and re-energized.
Take a day off
It’s challenging to find time off, but stepping back to regroup your thoughts and relax your body even just one day at a time does wonders in maintaining healthy mental and emotional states. It’s good to have a mental health day to yourself and restore some balance amidst the stress pulling at you in all directions.
Breathe
This might be very obvious, but many of us need to be reminded to take a step back and just breathe. Regulating your breathing reduces your heart rate and relaxes you. Taking time for breathing exercises, such as deep inhales and exhales, sends fresh oxygenated blood to your brain, clearing up your thoughts. This is why good breathing improves physical symptoms, emotions, memories, thoughts, personality and sense of self. So go ahead, take that deep breath you might’ve been holding in since the early morning rush.