5 simple ways to calm your mind
Ever feel overwhelmed by the ever-increasing pace of life? Or find the constant juggle between work, family and relationships mentally exhausting? These five simple strategies are just what you need to calm your mind.
1. Meditate
Meditation not only helps to focus your attention and eliminate the stream of thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing stress, but may also offer several emotional benefits, which can include:
- Gaining a new perspective on stressful situations
- Building skills to manage your stress
- Increasing self-awareness
- Focusing on the present
- Reducing negative emotions
- Increasing imagination and creativity
- Increasing patience and tolerance
If you’re keen to experience these benefits for yourself, consider attending an Elixr meditation class or our introductory course in meditation, which has been specifically designed to help harness your breathing and achieve a still, calm mind.
2. Practise mindfulness
The concept of mindfulness has become increasingly popular in recent years and it’s hardly surprising when you consider the ever-increasing pace of life. Mindfulness is the ability to be present, aware and not overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. Research has linked its practise to these soothing benefits: stress reduction, reduced emotional reactivity, greater focus and cognitive flexibility. So make it a priority to find time to stop and smell the roses – and meditate on their colour, texture and scent while you’re at it.
3. Silence your smartphone
Technology is a wonderful thing: it allows us to connect with friends, family and colleagues 24/7, run our lives on the go, and save time. But, these positives can also trigger stress as we find ourselves WhatsApping mates, sending work emails after hours or following breaking news on Twitter in our ‘always on’ world. One way to silence this constant influx of information is to activate the ‘Do not disturb’ function on your phone. Not only does this stop the constant interruptions to your day, it also allows you the freedom to be present in the moment. As Buddha said, “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
4. Take a deep breath
Frank Sinatra famously said, “Take a deep breath, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.” And there’s a reason this catchphrase often precedes good advice – it works! Pausing to take a breath gives you a moment to settle your mind and draw metaphorical a line in the sand before you move forward. So next time your mind is reeling, find a quiet, comfortable space to close your eyes, inhale through your nose, hold, and then slowly breathe out, allowing your stress and anxiety to leave your body with your breath.
5. Sign up for a yoga class
Yoga is a wonderfully relaxing and therapeutic way to enhance your mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. Its focus on correct breathing helps to quieten your mind, while its measured movements target tight muscles – often the first sign that you’re stressed. Elixr has a team of experienced yoga teachers offering classes to recharge body and mind in a relaxed studio environment.
