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Six Ways to Help you Feel More Calm on the Inside

The world feels like a bit of a funny place for everyone at the moment. Times are uncertain and you may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious and well, just sad. It’s okay not to feel okay – you’re not alone!

Rest assured, we will get through this. But in the meantime, it’s important to do things that will help to make you feel calm, comforted and just a little bit better on the inside.

Here are our top tips to help calm your mind and feel a bit lighter:

Take some deep breaths

Simple breathing exercises can slow your heart rate down and bring you into the present moment, relaxing your body and mind. If things feel too overwhelming or you feel a pounding in your chest – close your eyes, breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, then breathe out for 4 seconds. Repeat this 5 times or until you are feeling more relaxed.

If you do this regularly in response to stressful and overwhelming situations, you will find it easier to remove yourself from them and feel calm.

Go for a walk outside

Getting some fresh air and moving your body can help to clear and calm your mind. If you find your headspace is fixated on anxious thoughts, then it’s time to change the scenery and move your body. This will help you disconnect from a negative headspace and move into a more positive and clearer headspace. Plus, exercise releases happy hormones to help make you feel better on the inside!

Make a cup of tea

Warm tea is like a cuddle in a cup. Feeling the warmth as you hold a cup of tea in your hands is comforting and calming enough. When things are getting overwhelming, getting up and making a cup of tea then mindfully sipping at it will help to keep your mind present. Did you know tea can reduce the hormone that causes stress? No wonder it has such calming and mood-boosting effects!

Practicing Gratitude

Thinking about what you’re thankful for helps you feel more positive emotions. In times of anxiety, get out a pen and paper and write down three things you are grateful for. It could be the warmth of the sunshine, running fresh water,  friends, family, pets or past experiences. It’s the small, simple things that matter. Take the time to think about why you’re grateful for them. You will notice you start to feel a little more positive and content.

Have a break from the news or media

Although informative, too much news and media can add to anxiety. Sometimes we just need to remove ourselves from what’s not making us feel good and have a break. Limit your time to how much news you’re watching. Maybe just 10 mins each morning and night to keep updated. The rest of the day is about self-care and doing things to make you feel productive and good! There’s also a lot of misinformation out there, so rather than reading random articles on social media, stick to your trusted resources like government websites.

Maintain a routine

A routine will give you a sense of normalcy and help you feel productive. Get up the same time every morning, eat healthy meals, get in some exercise, practice self-care and go to bed at the same time every night. This will also help you sleep better, which will help reduce stress and anxiety so you feel more calm and relaxed during the day.

 

 

Sources:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/relaxation-techniques-breath-control-helps-quell-errant-stress-response 

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-00398-1

https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier

 

 

 

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