Key to Being…

Society and daily living have become very fast paced.  We hurry all the time, stress piles up and our bodies and minds become tense with anxiety.  A calm mind and body will allow you to get more done, be healthier and take pleasure in life.  Below are some simple and unique ways of getting into a calm frame of mind.

1. Herbal tea. Chamomile, linden, mint and lavender teas are soothing and calming.  Brew a cup of one or blend different kinds.  Preferably, drink loose leaf teas that are organic. See the many other amazing benefits of lavender.
2. Exercise. You knew this one was coming.  Make it a point to workout 15-20 minutes (or more) per day.  A simple walk outdoors will do the trick.  It’ll change your thoughts, reduce stress, get the endorphins flowing and keep your body strong and healthy.  ¹
3. Sound of water. The sound of the ocean, a stream, babbling brook or river can work wonders to soothe and calm.  There are several theories why the sound of water is so pleasing: water is present in the placental fluids of the womb, the sound of water stretches back billions of years for all things in existence, it works as white noise and helps block out modern city sounds and electronic devices.  Whatever the reason, it works.  If you don’t have access to a nice little stream, brook or ocean, buy a small fountain or a CD recording with the sounds of water.
4. Change your surrounding. Take a 5-15 minute break and step away from what you are doing.  Take a walk, talk to a colleague you like, sit outdoors and look at the sky, trees or whatever you find beautiful.
5. Post-work break. After work, take 15-30 minutes and do something for yourself and by yourself, like one of the techniques listed here.  If you have obligations (e.g. kids, pets, etc), even 5 minutes will help.  Shut yourself in the bathroom if you have to and close your eyes, calm the breath and clear your mind.  If you can get your kids calm enough, take a nap or snuggle with them.

“Fresh air impoverishes the doctor.”
~Danish Proverb

6. Fresh air. Be outdoors as much as you can.  Especially if you are stuck in an office all day.  If it’s warm enough, eat, read, talk on the phone, or fold the laundry outdoors.  Whatever you can, take it outside.  Keep the windows open and welcome the light air and beautiful sun.

“Smile, breathe and go slowly.”
~Thich Nhat Hanh

7. Breathe. Kids understand how to breathe.  Most adults have forgotten.  They still breathe, but usually improperly and shallowly.  Breathe slowly, deeply and feel the breath going into the stomach and expanding it with each inhale.  Take some minutes each day to practice this until it becomes habit. The Art and Science of Breathing http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02039/the-art-and-science-of-breathing.html
8. Affection. Think of something or someone you like.  This is especially effective if thinking of someone you love while eating a piece of chocolate J
9. Gratitude. You have great potential and are strong.  Thank yourself and be patient with yourself.  Acknowledge any progress you make.  Take a couple minutes each day to think of all the things you can be grateful for.  Any opportunity you take to be aware of this (e.g. driving in the car and being grateful for the beautiful clouds that day) puts you in a positive frame of mind.  This in turn allows more positive events and things come to you.

“Trees are the earth’s endless effort to speak to the listening heaven.”
~Rabindranath Tagore

10. Sky gazing. Relax on the grass or a lawn chair and look up at the sky (unless there’s a thunderstorm).  Looking at something so vast and expansive brings perspective into the day, puts the little things in their place and calms the brain.  If there are clouds, play like kids do and see which ones look like animals, flowers or mythical creatures.  Create whatever you wish out of them.  Be like the trees.
11. Be now.  Being present is the most valuable and most challenging thing you can do to achieve balance and calmness.  Truly concentrate on what is currently surrounding you.  Take no thought of past and future since they only exist in the mind.  As soon as you notice your thoughts drifting, observe them quietly and objectively. This will bring your mind back to the present.
12. Reverse your body. Most people are stuck in a chair (office, home, car, plane) all day, in the same exact position.  Our blood flows down easily with gravity but takes more work to flow back up again.  Lie on the floor, your butt and legs up against the wall so your torso and legs are at 90 degrees.  Stay like this for 15-20 minutes (5 if you’re a beginner) and you will feel the blood flowing easily down your legs and the weight and pressure being taken off your feet.
13. 15 minute nap. Simply 15 minutes can recharge the entire mind and body with energy.  Can’t nap at work?  Try and find a secluded place to sit comfortably and close your eyes, concentrate on your breathing and ignore everything else. 
14. Yoga or stretching. Yoga is powerful and centers the mind and body. Doing just 15 minutes of basic poses, such as sun salutation and child’s pose will soothe your mind and muscles.  If you don’t do yoga (yet:), do some stretching on the floor.  10-15 minutes of stretching, followed by 5 minutes resting on the floor with eyes closed is a great way to calm the system.
15. Palming. This is a technique pioneered by Dr. Bates (born 1850), founder of the modern natural eyesight improvement.  Sit at a desk, back straight and relaxed against a chair, resting the elbows on a firm pillow or stack of books a few inches thick.  Close the eyes, cover them with your palms, gently but firmly so that no light comes through.  5 -10 minutes is good for beginners.  Increase to 20 minutes.  This is a great opportunity to rest overworked eyes.  Many don’t realize the amount of tension held around the eyes.  We are also exposed to mostly artificial light and many stare at a computer screen for 8+ hours.  The warmth of the palms and darkness help soothe the eyes and muscles surrounding. 

“I have never known any distress that an hour’s reading did not relieve.”
~ Charles de Montesquieu

16. Read or write. Reading is one of the most relaxing and absorbing hobbies to have.  Ignore the phone while reading, and resist the intense itch to check email for the 20th time.  Multi-tasking and reading don’t mix.  In fact multi-tasking doesn’t really mix at all with anything.  Writing is also relaxing and can be eye-opening.  Start a journal and you may be surprised by insights you gain, the perspective it brings, and how it allows you to express your feelings. 
17. Om. Om is a sacred syllable and symbol in Hinduism, representing the source of all manifest existence.  It is found frequently in meditation, chanting and mantras.  It is calming on the nervous system and the repetition of the sound helps drive pointless thoughts away and clears the mind.  Go someplace you won’t be disturbed, sit or lie down, close the eyes, palms relaxed and open, and repeat the sound “om”, spending some time on the “o” and some on the “m”, feeling it vibrating in your throat, lips, teeth, jaw and going into your chest and solar plexus.

It’s easy to get caught up in the stresses of your routine, job and schedule.  Learn how to manage stress using these 15 tips.  Then use some of the above tips and you’ll notice a new calmness and certainty to your actions.   Listen to your body and take a break when you need it.  A calm mind and body will allow you to get more accomplished, be healthier and delight in the simplicity of daily life.

¹ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise-and-stress/sr00036