For many people (including us), life is stressful! With society, work and family-related pressures, it can be very easy to become overwhelmed with everything that life has to throw at us.
Chances are, you might be relating to what we are saying, especially if your schedule is hectic. Thankfully, it’s possible to chill out and relax; even if it’s only in short bursts when our minds are frazzled with stress and worry. We have already suggested a few ideas for self-care, but here are some other things to try when you need to calm your mental state.
#1: Meditate
You don’t have to sit cross-legged on the floor to meditate. And you don’t have to make chanting sounds either! You can meditate almost anywhere, do a few breathing exercises, and perhaps listen to some calming music. There are lots of different ways to meditate, and you can gain inspiration from this list of meditation techniques. Do whatever works for you and practice them whenever you need to regain your sense of inner peace.
Christy: “personally, I love to incorporate bits of meditation throughout my day. Even small bits like taking 10 DEEP breaths every-time I stop at the traffic lights. Taking that moment to fully fill my lungs with air, ground my feet and drop my shoulders. It helps hugely to stay grounded.”
#2 Eat something
When did you last eat? As busy mums we’re often guilty of looking after everyone else before ourselves. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there’s definitely a link between the gut and mind. Eaten nothing but a cookie, it’s 3pm and you’re feeling ick? Take a moment when you’re feeling frazzled, go grab a banana or make yourself a snack with whole foods. Your blood sugars will thank you.
#3: Go for a walk somewhere scenic
Exercise releases endorphins, those stress-relieving chemicals that can boost your mood. You will also enhance your mood if you exercise somewhere scenic, as fresh air, sunlight, and the simple pleasures of beautiful surroundings can also do much to relieve you of feelings of stress. Pace yourself and go for a gentle stroll so you can fully relax whilst exploring.
Charlotte: “I’ve found my love of foraging again and I must say, it makes me very happy.”
#4: Go to your happy place
This doesn’t have to be a physical place! When you’re meditating, you could visualise a place that can evoke feelings of calm. Imagine the sights, sounds, and smells that can create feelings of peace within you, such as the gentle lapping of saltwater waves upon a sunlit shore. Of course, if you can go to a physical place, then do so. If there is a beach near you or some other place that makes you feel happy, spend time there and relax in all the ways you know how.
#5: Unplug from your phone
Your phone could be adding to your stress! Especially if you regularly read social media posts or check in on your work emails, you will be sabotaging your opportunities to relax. You will have less time to do the things you enjoy too, and less time to enjoy the company of others, if you are regularly glued to your phone. So, turn it off once in a while as you will then have more time to do the things on this list, and anything else that is mentally beneficial to you.
Take care and thanks for reading!
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