8 Ways to Create Calm
Want to achieve a more peaceful state of mind but not sure where to begin? Start here. Following even one or two of the suggestions will make a difference.
Go slow. When you have to go somewhere, start out 10 minutes early instead of waiting until the last possible moment. You won't have to rush, and you'll be less stressed. Make an effort to move and talk in a very relaxed manner and see if your stress doesn't ebb away. Drive within the speed limit; pause before you reply to a question; let the phone ring a few times before answering it. And sit back and do nothing for a few minutes every day.
Give yourself a break. You can't make everyone in your life happy all the time. And it's okay to make mistakes now and then.
Use your vacation time. Austrian researchers recently showed that a two-week vacation does more than just clear the mind and calm the spirit. It also improves health and reduces stress levels for up to five weeks. Both during and after a good vacation, we sleep better and enjoy better moods. For a vacation to be healing, however, it must be restful and not overly structured.
Take up a hobby. Do something for the sheer pleasure of it, whether it's knitting, collecting rocks, or bird-watching. Hobbies instill self-confidence and help you connect with others who share your interests.
Learn to love lists. Try making daily to-do lists if you tend to forget things or if it makes you feel more organized. Prioritize your goals for the day, then divvy them up into realistic chunks of available time. If something won't fit onto today's list, move it to tomorrow's.
Read. Nothing takes your mind off your worries faster than a good book. Since reading is a silent activity, it also lets you escape noise—a known stressor—for a while.
Ask for help. When you feel overwhelmed, enlist help. Don't be afraid to ask. Also, conquer the habit of saying yes to every request or obligation when your energy is at stake. Remind yourself that your health comes first, and that taking on too much can compromise your immune system.
Don't ignore negative feelings. Like a warning light on your car's dashboard, your feelings can alert you that something is amiss. If you're angry, jealous, frustrated, or just plain irritable, it's a sign you need to take a deep breath and find a way to change directions.
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