We humans are continually bombarded with outside “noise,” often making it a challenge to quiet the mind and body and destress on a regular basis. Fortunately, with a little creativity, you can create your own personal bubble of “calm.” Today, Vistamar Ayampe Retreat shares some tips and resources to get you started!
Learn To Breathe
Of course, we all breathe all day, every day, but intentional breathing can change your life in positive ways.
When you find yourself in a tense or stressful situation, pausing to take deep, measured breaths can help you collect yourself and focus before you act or respond.
Add a houseplant, such as a Philodendron Majestic, to improve the air you breathe at home.
Relaxation response has medical proof of its effectiveness. It can take many forms, including mantras, prayer, deep breathing, or even muscle stimulation.
Measured breathing before bed can also result in more healthy, restful sleep.
Practicing mindfulness can also support maintaining a positive mindset.
Start Saying “No”
Stress can arise from overscheduling, or saying yes in situations where you really don’t have the time, inclination, or interest in doing something.
Remind yourself that, “no” is a complete sentence. You don’t owe any explanation.
If a straight, “no” makes you uncomfortable, come up with another phrase, like, “I wish I could, but my schedule doesn’t allow it.” Repeat as necessary.
Let go of the guilt that comes with this new learning curve. The less stressed you are, the more you ultimately have to offer others.
Get Moving
We all know exercise is a great destresser, but sometimes we stress about making time to exercise!
Clear your home of bad energy to give yourself a positive space to move through.
Create a little corner devoted to yoga and meditation – even a curtained off section will give you space to focus.
Find a nearby walkable area to explore your local environment.
Get exercise by doing something that brings you joy – hike with friends, dance with abandon, or run with your dog. Treat yourself to a massage when you’re done.
Treat yourself with a Vistamar Ayampe Retreat experience!
Begin Journaling
Journaling is an excellent way to help you process your thoughts and feelings. Just the act of writing them down helps you see your feelings in a more analytical way. Therefore, you’re better able to understand them and, by extension, yourself. Journaling is a way to feel a sense of privacy no matter where you are, helping you to reduce any stress or anxiety you may be feeling.
Getting started with journaling can feel overwhelming, so starting with a guided journal is a great option. Created with prompts and exercises to help you sort out your feeling and emotions, the guided gratitude journal(hyperlinked) is great for people looking to reduce daily stress and anxiety. The guided clarity journal is great for figuring out your next steps in life and what you actually want to do, freeing you from "Analysis Paralysis"
The world is full of potential stressors, and even if you don’t have control over certain circumstances, you do have control over how you respond. Once you learn effective stress-reducing tools, you can use them anywhere, anytime you need them.
Written by Dylan Foster