How to Cultivate Calm
Open your phone or turn on the TV and it can be hard not to feel stressed or overwhelmed. There is conflict abroad, social unrest, a lingering pandemic, not to mention the personal stress we face at home. It can be difficult to carve out peace and calm amidst everything going on. Today we are discussing our favorite strategies for cultivating more calm and peace in your life. If you are feeling overwhelmed, we hope these strategies will help you find your calm.
Breath Connection
Connecting to our breath is one of the easiest ways to instantly relieve our physical stress symptoms. Find a place to sit and begin taking some deep breaths. Close your eyes and focus on where you feel your breath most strongly. You might feel it in your nose, the back of your throat, your chest, or belly. Focus on that area and breathe normally. Focus on the breath and take a few minutes to breathe and relax into it. You can also try five finger breathing. Trace your hand beginning at your thumb. As you move up each finger, breathe in. As you move down the finger, breathe out. This method works great for adults and kids!
Self-Care
When we talk about self-care, we aren’t simply referring to spa days or iced coffees (although those simple pleasures can definitely relieve stress)! Prioritize caring for yourself. Make time for well-balanced meals that bring satisfaction. Try to get a little fresh air everyday, even if it’s a short walk around the block. Carve out time to move your body and exercise. Exercise is a great stress reliever. It can help you build strength, a sense of accomplishment, and flood you with positive endorphins. Lastly, don’t forget about sleep! Try for 7 to 8 hours a night.
Time Management
Be mindful of your time. Carve out time to be productive and complete tasks on your to-do list. Concentrate on one task at a time. Be protective of time for yourself too. Make time for things you enjoy. Schedule a walk with a friend or set aside time in the evening to do something that brings joy and relaxation. Being protective of your schedule might mean saying no to occasional plans when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Kindness & Connection
Finding ways to show kindness to others can help us cultivate gratitude and feel secure in our lives. Plus it feels really good to give to others! Volunteering and showing kindness can help us feel more connected to the communities we live in and remind us that we have a place somewhere. Even the smallest acts can impact others. Volunteering can cultivate empathy for others and love for ourselves. Find organizations in your local community to connect with. Choose something you feel passionate about and find a friend who might want to join you. More empathy, love, and gratitude in our lives will mean less feelings of stress.
Clean Up Your Apps
Get critical about the media you consume. If you follow the news closely and are feeling overwhelmed, give yourself grace and take breaks each day to process. Get outside and connect with nature. Silence alerts and notifications on your phone. And what about social media? Have you ever found yourself scrolling and drawing comparisons between yourself and someone else? If you are feeling lousy or insecure after scrolling social media, it might be time to take a break. Delete apps or set limits on how often you check them. Take some time to unfollow or mute accounts that make you feel negatively about yourself and others. In short, remove the negative energy! Surround yourself with positive energy and take frequent breaks from your devices. Scheduling regular digital detoxes will give you more time for real life connections that bring calm and joy.
In times of stress, remember to:
Take some deep breaths.
Take note of what you're feeling. Name it.
Let go of the negativity. Remember, feelings pass and they don’t need to define the moment.
Connect with your senses and your surroundings.
Breathe again.
We want to hear from you! How do you stay calm and reduce stress in your life?