Meditation is a powerful tool, but it's not the only way to calm your mind. Consider these tricks to find peace and inner calmness.
Try these ideas the next time you want to calm your mind and feel better:
1. Breathe. The simple act of breathing can help you calm down quickly and reduce anxiety. Breathing can help you focus on the moment and forget your worries. A few deep breaths help relax your muscles as your cells receive the extra oxygen.
* An easy start to breathing for relaxation is to make you exhales longer than your inhales
2. Show gratitude. By showing gratitude, you can change your focus and find peace. Being thankful and saying it can help you see the positive things that are around you.
* When stopping and giving thanks, you're also living in the present moment. When your mind is on the present moment, there's no room for worrying about the future or regretting your past.
*You can try sending an email, talking on the phone, or writing a note to someone that you would like to thank. (You don't even have to send it, but I bet they would love to hear about your gratitude towards them ;)
3. Smile. How often do you smile during the day? Do you smile at strangers as well as friends?
* Smiling can instantly boost your mood. It can help relax the body and mind, help the immune system, and reduce stress.
4. Go for a hike or enjoy nature. If meditation doesn't appeal to you because it involves sitting, then go for a hike or find another way to enjoy nature. Explore a park, trail, or other natural are
a near you.
* Notice the sounds, smells, and visuals in front of you as you walk.
* Nature can have a soothing impact on the brain and body.
Looking for another way to have a calm and peaceful life without meditation?
Have you tried Affirmations?
With the help of positive affirmations, anyone can improve their mindset and start living the life they've always dreamed of.
They are an incredibly powerful tool that you can use to change the way you think and gain the following benefits.
Enjoy an increase in your overall confidence for your abilities to get what you want.
You can become more aware of your daily thoughts, which can help to reduce negative feelings.
A more open heart that allows you to dream big.
Enjoy increased energy levels and face your days without fear of challenges.
Program your subconscious mind and develop positive actions to help you reach your goals. Click Here for a great resource for using Affirmations
5. Turn off your phone and other devices. Constant communication and connection can make it hard to have a calm mind. Turn off your phones, tablets, computers, and other devices for a time to help find peace.
* By disconnecting from technology for brief periods of time, you'll be able to relax.
6. Play with your pet. If you're lucky to have a dog, cat, or other animal, play with them to find calmness. Research shows that pets can help people stay calm and relax.
* Try petting your dog or cat for an extended period of time. Only focus on them and don't think about other issues.
* Consider taking your pet for a walk and getting exercise for yourself at the same time.
7. Do some type of manual labor (also known as Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT)). Sometimes, manual labor such as cleaning the house or mowing the lawn can help calm the mind. Exercise can boost brain chemicals that make you happy.
* Manual labor can help you forget issues by helping you to focus on completing the tasks currently in front of you.
* Look for activities that need to be done at home or at work. Do the dishes, vacuum, clean out closets, or organize cabinets. Sort the garage or attic, try gardening, or pull weeds. If you're finished with tasks at home, reach out to friends and neighbors to help them.
Although meditation can be important, it's not the only way to stay calm. Consider trying other methods and experimenting until you find the ones that work best for you.
If you are somewhat interested in Meditation, but haven't found a "type" that fits you yet; have you tried a Self-Compassion Meditation? By practicing kindness and compassion you can then share it with the world around you.
Interested? Try this meditation from self-compassion.org
“When you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out – because that's what's inside. When you are squeezed, what comes out is what is inside.” -Wayne W. Dyer
Carla Klepin is a Health and Wellness Coach who partners with people who are looking to make positive, sustainable lifestyle changes to better their future and accomplish their goals of better health and active, balanced futures. Carla believes that we all have within us what it takes to succeed, it is a matter of finding what works for each of us, individually. Carla has helped transform people’s lives for the better by helping them to create more healthful and harmonized futures. Carla is an academically trained coach and is certified by ASU as a Healthy Lifestyles Coach, graduating summa cum laude, and holds an NBC-HWC credential granted by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). Carla holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a minor in Organizational Leadership, both from ASU, and is currently pursuing a Master’s of Sciences in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Missouri Science and Technology.