As today’s world spins at an ever-increasing speed, many people find themselves overwhelmed with feelings of stress, anxiety, and unhappiness.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can help yourself stay relaxed, even when you feel like things are spinning out of control, and we’ve outlined 5 of our favorite ways to do just that.
- Meditate
The benefits of meditation are undeniable. The practice of meditation is so powerful that it can be traced back millennia, from countless different cultures.
There’s no need to dwell on the mind of God when you meditate though. Simply sitting comfortably with your eyes closed while counting your breaths can help you gain a new perspective on a stressful situation, increase patience and tolerance, increase your self-awareness, and allow you to focus on the present moment.
Getting stressed out often comes from feeling like you’re losing control, and meditation is a great reminder that it’s okay to not be in control!
- Write in a Journal
Writing in a journal is one of the most therapeutic habits you can create for yourself, and you don’t have to start every entry with, “Dear Diary.”
Journaling will help improve your mental clarity and focus, and will give you insight into the inner workings of your own psyche (which is key to managing things like stress and anxiety).
Journaling facilitates personal growth by helping you track your emotions. You might begin to recognize patterns in your emotional life, and once you see the pattern, you’re one step closer to finding the cause and fixing it.
If nothing else, journaling gives you an outlet to express anything you need to get out, and sometimes that’s all you need to feel better.
- Listen to Music
Listening to music is another great way to help you stay calm during stressful times. For many people, music is an escape -and for good reason. You can choose to start your day feeling great by listening to positive music, or pick yourself up when you’re feeling anxious.
Actively listening to music is another form of meditation, as you’re practicing being in the present moment, listening from one to the next. This helps to take your mind off of negative thought patterns, and might surprise you just how well it works!
Scientifically speaking, music can trigger the release of serotonin and dopamine into the brain, helping you feel more relaxed and happy -as long as it’s music that you enjoy!
- Go for a Walk
Walking is one of the most underrated forms of exercise out there. It’s no marathon or CrossFit workout, but the human body is adapted for walking (and running). Walking is so instinctual that it’s been used as a shamanic practice for millennia.
Besides all of that, walking gives you a chance to think, or to take a break from thinking. Exercise is always good for your health, and walking is no exception, since it also helps to trigger the release of endorphins, making you feel good instead of stressed.
- Smoke some weed
If you’re in a recreational or medical marijuana state, taking a break at the end of the day to smoke a doobie will almost always help you stay relaxed. If you’re not interested in smoking, there are countless options for vaporizers and edible cannabis products available.
Some people aren’t interested in, “getting high,” and that’s totally understandable. You can still benefit from the non-psychoactive cannabis products (CBD).
The use of cannabis is widely known to give users an increased sense of calmness and relaxation. It’s even helped relieve symptoms of social anxiety and PTSD.
Overall, cannabis is a great option for short-term, immediate relief and if you’re looking for more information, Veriheal is a great resource on medical marijuana.
Conclusion
There are countless things in life that’ll cause you to feel stressed out, but you don’t have to be a victim of them. A crazy world will always make you feel like you’re not in control, but rest assured knowing that one thing you have power over is how you feel!
Meditation, journaling, listening to music, walking , and using cannabis products are all easy ways to help you stay relaxed during stressful times.