In a time where the world is in chaos and there’s no end in sight, it’s natural to feel emotionally unbalanced.

In fact, you might be struggling with anxiety for the first time in your life or had a previous anxiety disorder triggered.

Either way, does this sound familiar? Your mind is racing, you’re struggling to go about your daily activities and you’re even experiencing some physical symptoms, such as an increased heart rate, feeling restless and breathing rapidly.

In this case, we want to help you get back to a healthier, happier state. That said, read on for 7 ways to calm your mind, no matter what 2021 throws at us.

 

1.   Read a Book

Firstly, reading a book is an effective way to clear your head during a mental struggle, especially before bedtime.

Why? Well, there’s something about focusing on a story that provides a great distraction from what’s going on outside your door. It also tires out your eyes, allowing you to fall into a deep, peaceful sleep.

 

2. Meditate 

The daily implementation of meditation has many mental health benefits, such as:

• Better focus and concentration
• Improved self-awareness and self-esteem
• Lower levels of stress and anxiety 

After all, it’s important to set time aside to pay attention to the present moment in terms of our thoughts, emotions and sensations to help process them.

Focus on transforming your breathing from short, quick inhales and exhales to slower, deeper ones for instant calm.

 

3. Have a Bubble Bath 

Alongside meditation, the practice of self-care has grown in popularity since the beginning of 2020.

Something as simple as having a hot bubble bath can reduce stress, relieve anxiety and have a positive effect on your mental health.

(Take a book in there with you for good measure!)

 

4.  Give Yourself a Facial 

Speaking of self-care, we all deserve a bit of a pamper every now and then.

If you’re currently unable to visit your local beauty salon or favourite therapist, why not bring the spa to you? Here’s how: 

• Give yourself a facial, manicure and/or pedicure
• Wear a fluffy bathrobe
• Surround yourself with candles
• Put on soothing music

(Bliss!)

 

5. Put on Your Favourite Music

According to Psych Central, listening to music can have a relaxing effect on our bodies and our minds.

If your boss won’t let you have music on at work, find some time to listen to your favourite tunes during other occasions, such as:

• On the way to and from work
• While walking the dog
• While cooking
• Around the house instead of watching TV 

You could even have a little boogie while you’re at it. (Ever heard the phrase “shake the stress away”?)

 

6. Go for a Walk

If you feel your anxiety levels rising and you’re not sure how to immediately help yourself, get outside. Breathe in some fresh air. And, even better, spend time in nature.

There’s nothing like immersing yourself in the tranquillity of the trees, hills and/or lakes around you to make you feel loosened and grounded. 

Go one step further and exercise outside. When you work out, your body releases feel-good hormones called endorphins, which interact with the receptors in your brain to reduce your perception of pain.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the benefits of regular exercise include:

• Increased self-confidence
• Increased feelings of calm
• Lower symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Improved sleep 

In other words, it’s definitely worth doing!

 

7. Start a Journal 

Lastly, sometimes you just need to get worries out of your head. A good way to do this is to write them down on paper.

Journalling allows you to organise your thoughts, self-reflect and boost your memory, thus relieving stress.

You could even start a gratitude diary where you write down three things you’re grateful for every day. This will enable you to put a positive spin on things even when you’re feeling down and is known to improve your mindset.

 

Maximising the Ways to Calm Your Mind

Trying out one of these ways to calm your mind is all well and good. However, the more you implement into your everyday routine, the more powerful the effects will be.

Ultimately, it’s all about finding out what works for you and continuing to do it as and when you need to (like the fighter you are). You’ve got this!