Photography by Ada Aslanova from Pexels
Restless nights, constantly tense shoulders and jaws, and a feeling that there's always something looming are signs that our mind and soul are in an anxious state.
When that happens, we sometimes think that there's something inherently wrong with us or that we're becoming "lazy," when in reality, the tense & anxious feeling sometimes paralyzes us from doing what we need to do instead of being in that clear line between healthy pressure and debilitating stress. Listening to our true emotions and mental state can give us an idea of whether we need to take a reset or reach out to experts for help.
If you find yourself needing a quick restart, here are simple, easy activities to help soothe an anxious mind and soul:
Write it out
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When connecting with loved ones to listen in on our worries feels too much or too sacred to bare, writing it out can do wonders for our mind and soul to bring some solace.
Go with free-flowing journaling to write out what's on your mind, or go with guided prompts. If you're going for the latter, start with these:
What's been on your mind the most these days? What worries you about it?
What types of emotions do you feel because of them?
In what small way can you lessen the load tomorrow? The next few days?
Despite how you feel right now, what are you happy and grateful?
Channel it through movement
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Whether it's going for morning stretches to release the tension in your body, or going on walks to relieve your mind of anxiety, incorporating any form of movement is a proven way of relieving yourself from stress.
Other than the fact that your energy is being relocated towards focusing on your body's movements and surroundings, it also creates hormones that are scientifically proven to improve your mood and contribute to your overall well-being. Feel free to choose a movement according to what your body needs, if you're unable to leave your house, stretches or yoga can do wonders in releasing tense muscles. If you feel adventurous, go for hikes or cycling! There's a form of movement for everyone.
Visit a happy place for a change of scenery
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From your favorite spot at home to your most secret hideaway, slipping away to your happy place to do just about anything (or absolutely nothing!) can help ease that nervous-about-everything feeling.
This activity doesn't need a splurge just for it to work effectively. The key here is to be in a place that brings you peace from the inside out. It can be a skin place where you feel most comfortable and taken care of, or even the kitchen where you're allowed to be your most creative self! Focus on the feeling you get from the place, not how grand it is.
An oasis for your mind, soul and skin.
To Be At Peace
Although life may always bring us something to tense our shoulders on or have us in a worried state, its’s never a bad idea to combat, adapt or ask for help to relieve some of it. Complete solace may seem like an impossible task, but it’s something worth trying to achieve— even if it’s little by little. Our only word of caution: always try to check within yourself when it’s getting too much. In that case, more help may be needed aside from these simple, yet impactful activities.