Most people will tell you that their life is busy. They are constantly stressed out and they feel exhausted and drained at the end of the day. As our technology makes us more and more accessible, finding true peace and calmness in our lives becomes more like trying to find a steak at a Vegan restaurant. Life is busy. There are things to do, kids to feed and clutter to organize. Again! But it is possible to find calm within the chaos.
Here are 4 techniques to calmly help you off the ledge.
1) Breathe. When you feel your heart racing, panic beginning to set in or the walls closing in, just breathe. Breathing is still the most effective way to calm yourself down. By taking long, deep breaths, you send a signal to your brain which causes a biological shift in how you feel. Inhale for a count of 3 and focus on your belly expanding. Then exhale for a count of 3 and notice your belly going down. Repeat this process until you feel yourself becoming more calm.
2) Be Present. This is the best tool to use if you’re feeling stuck in the past or feeling anxious about the future. Playing the “what if” game or worrying about worst case scenarios is a waste of time and energy. Coming back to the present moment will instantly calm you down because you’ll quickly realize that in this moment, you are okay and in control. Even if you are experiencing discomfort, you can handle it by just breathing through it. To become present, tune in to your surroundings by using your senses. What do you see, hear, smell, taste or feel?
3) Tighten and Release. This is a great technique to release tension. Tighten and clench the muscles in your face, inhale, hold the breath for a moment, then release and relax. Do this all the way down your body, tensing your muscles as you breathe in and letting go as you exhale. Doing this will trigger your body to release the stress it’s holding on to.
4) Take a break. One of the best ways to de-stress, is to walk away and take a break. Get up from your desk, take a walk and literally distance yourself from whatever is adding pressure or stress to your life. This will calm you down and help you gain a fresh perspective. Schedule in a few short breaks into your day. You’ll come back recharged, refreshed and ready take on the task at hand.
Action Challenge
Start practicing these tips and incorporating them into your day. Make finding inner peace a priority.
Carly Cooper is a life coach, speaker and author of Balance the Mother Load: R.E.I.N.V.E.N.T. Your Life in Just 8 Weeks! She has been interviewed in various magazine publications and TV and radio shows. In addition to coaching working moms on how to Balance their Mother Load, she is also a certified Law of Attraction practitioner and has helped hundreds of people deliberately attract a life they love through her workshops, group seminars and 1 on 1 coaching.