5 ways to be calm – WELLBEING

Life can be quite hectic and chaotic at times. Especially leading up to Christmas day.

There is so much planning that you have to do (or at least try to do >^.^<). Such as going to friends/family parties, buying presents, organising meals to be prepared for Christmas day, shopping for decorations and so on.

Doing all these things can make us feel stressed and overwhelmed. During the coming days we still need to set aside some time for ourselves to breathe – even if it is just for 10 minutes to have some peace and quiet, and calmly get ourselves back into completing tasks.

Here are five ways to help you stay calm:

1. Write a to do list – either on your phone, in a book, or on a piece of paper (I prefer a small book to write my list in as it can fit into my handbag, and I physically have to write the list which makes me memorise what I need to get completed). It is good to write your to do list the day before (that way you will not waste time on the day of completing tasks). Make sure you complete the tasks that take the most time first, that way when it comes to the tasks that take little time; you will get through them fast, and will be less stressed. Having a to do list is very helpful as it shows exactly what you need to get done that day – this will make you more calm as you are in control.
2. Meditate – this can help you feel at ease and be more relaxed. Doing just 10 minutes of meditation each day can really help with your health and give you an understanding of your wellbeing. To practice meditation you need to sit or lay down in a quiet room (you can put on some music if you wish to), close your eyes, and let go of all thoughts. You are basically cleansing your mind and relaxing your body in a peaceful zone. Once you meditate regularly you will find that you can think better, that your thoughts are clearer, and that you are able to focus more, completing more tasks without getting distracted.
3. Take some big deep breaths – and I really do mean big! Make each breath last 2-3 seconds, both in and out. Slowly breathe in and out at least 5 times. Doing so can make your mind and body feel better as you inhale more oxygen. It will also help you relax and feel more awake. It is good to practice this at least once a day. You will be surprised with the difference it can make with how you feel. As when we are busy, we sometimes forget to breathe properly.
4. Exercise – can help you a lot with making you more calm. When you exercise, you can bring your blood pressure down to a healthy level and release endorphins (a chemical released by the body) which will active positive feelings – making you a happier person. Yes you may feel tired after a good workout or walk, but have you paid attention and noticed that you always feel so much better after exercising than not exercising at all? Exercise takes energy and effort to do, but it gives so much more back. Those who exercise regularly have more energy and healthy results with their body. You will feel like you can take on any task if you discipline yourself to exercise regulary (at least 30 minutes a day is good).
5. Get enough sleep – This may be hard if you have dependants (such as children) or if you work very long hours on most days; but you must do your best to get enough sleep. Sleep is very important for our bodies to be able to recover and heal from a long day. Lack of sleep can cause health problems and really stress the body. You should get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. If you’re not able to, try to at least take a 15 to 20 minute power nap during the day. Getting the right amount of sleep will help you be more calm and focused on your day.

Some other ways to help you be calm is to take a bath (super relaxing), listen to your favourite music, colour in a colouring book (you can buy ones for adults), read a book, or light a scented candle.

I hope you found these tips helpful. Thank you so much for reading. Do your best to take care of yourself. Have a joyful day!

 

Capili Jiron x x