Stress, anxiety and tension — we all know the feeling. Spinning thoughts and imaginary “what if” scenarios can leave you feeling restless. Being able to calm these thoughts and feelings will enable you to enjoy life in a new and more meaningful way.
Here are 10 simple ways to calm your overactive mind:
1. Eliminate Clutter and Get Organized
When you look around your house are your counters full of things? Is there stacks of paper on the dining room table? What about the coffee table or entertainment center? If your environment is messy it can be a distraction for your mind and cause chaotic thoughts and anxiety. Take a day, or at least a few hours, and remove the clutter, organize it, and put away the things you actually use and need. You can give away the things you no longer use to your local non-profit or a needy family. If a day is too much, take an hour and focus on just one area .
2. Turn Off the Television
Many people get in the habit of having the television on for background noise. What they don’t realize is that any information you are exposed to is taken in to your subconscious mind. So, while you may say that you’re not a news junkie or that you don’t watch silly reality shows, your subconscious is fully aware of all the bad things happening in the world and the negative things people do to each other. If you must have white noise or background noise, play music.
3. Meditate
There’s no question about it: meditation is one of the most effective ways to get you calm and keep you there and ultimately achieve inner peace. Studies show that meditation promotes physical health benefits, mind-body serenity, and mental composure. There are several types of meditation that range from simple walking to deep mental and spiritual practices. Many types of meditation can be practiced anywhere, with some that enable you to meditate in a few spare moments, just enough time to calm the thoughts and clear the mind. No matter what type you choose to practice, you will discover the calming benefits.
4. Change What You Eat
Many of the most popular foods in America, like soda, sugar, and processed foods, and fast food, often contribute to high levels of tension and stress in the body. Choosing healthier replacements like fruits and vegetables, water, and non-processed meats makes it easier for your body to release negative emotions and energy. You will quickly feel a difference in your body that will reduce the effects of stress and anxiety, resulting in a calming of the mind.
5. Exercise On Purpose
A healthy mind and a healthy body support one another. Engaging in regular physical activity keeps the body functioning properly, gets the blood flowing, and contributes to a healthy brain. Adding physical activity to your daily routine will help you relax by releasing stress and tension. The activity doesn’t need to be strenuous. Yoga, Pilates, walking, bicycling and others can do just as much for the body as intense workouts at a fitness center.
6. Entertainment and Recreation
Don’t forget to enjoy yourself. Have some fun. Play games with friends. Laughter is great medicine and it can be free.
7. Journal Every Evening
Journaling about your day is a great way to calm the mind. Physically writing allows you to get rid of the clutter in your mind that is causing stress and anxiety. As time goes on, you’ll begin to see how you can journal your way to solutions about issues you’ve been worrying over. You will begin to stop worrying and feel calmer.
8. Get In Touch With Nature
If you need a quick “pick me up” nature is the way to go. Go for a stroll through the woods, along the beach, or in your local park. Nature has a magically calming effect that helps you to relax. So the next time you feel stressed or overwhelmed, don’t reach for an energy drink or cigarette — go for a walk in the park instead.
9. One Thing At A Time
Multi-tasking is a myth. It’s far more stressful to move back and forth between tasks than it is to simply finish a task before starting another one. You’ll get more done if you focus on one thing at a time, with no distractions, and finish before moving on to the next task. You’ll soon feel the results of a mind that is clear and focused and calm.
10. Think Through The Anxiety
Often the anxiety we experience is a result of not understanding what is actually happening. Worrying over things we have no control over isn’t helpful, and yet we do it anyways.
Ask yourself these questions to get started on thinking it through:
- What can you do about the situation?
- What is your part in the problem?
- Where is the evidence that this is bad?
- How important is it?
- Is your involvement necessary?
- Are more resources needed?
Your answers will determine your next actions. And action is a known cure for an overactive mind.