Take it ALL in

It’s so nice to once in a while, especially during a stressful and busy day, to take yourself out of your situations and find a quiet place to recharge. This I have found is so incredibly helpful for my own mental health and sanity. When the going is just too rough find that quiet safe spot where you can shut out everything except what is right there in the moment. What is around you….. I wanted to share some tools I use then and delve into how I feel and find that place when I am stressed so hopefully it can help others as well feel refreshed and re-centered after trying these!

 

Get Outside– I find I can think clearer and de-stress when I am out in nature. There is so much beauty around us and sitting in silence taking it all in can be so freeing. Get away from the hubbub and bustle of town, somewhere quiet where it almost feels like you could be the only person in the world. Here in Oregon that is so easy to do. There are so many gorgeous spots to explore and just soak in all the beauty. I love finding spots that have water and trees so I can sit by the water, but still be surrounded by green. If you have that certain place go to it, and if you don’t find one!

Put Your Phone Down– Take yourself away from all that is going on with your phone for a while. Lay it face down or stick it somewhere where it is out of sight. Out of sight out of mind! Your phone can be good and bad for you. We all get so sucked into our phone and miss what is going on around us quite often. So in this moment put the phone down and hide it. The world of social media can wait on you for a bit while you focus on yourself first. You don’t want to get burnt out and get so overwhelmed by all that is going on in your screen that you put yourself second. Not good!

Listen– Be quiet and take it all in. Listen to all the sounds happening around you. Listen to the silence! The wind blowing through the trees. The wild life making daily noises that you don’t hear during your busy day or in town. The sounds that you often just glaze over during your daily life and take for granted. The birds chirping going about their daily life. Close your eyes and listen to your breath as well. Take everything in around you like you’ve never heard it before. Everything is new for you in the moment! Be fully invested in the moment and don’t think. Just marvel and take everything in with a bright-eyed child like wonder.

Breath– Focus on your breaths. Long and easy and deep. Calm them down if they seem to be a bit rushed. Take the time to give your breathing your full attention for a bit. Breath is life and deep breaths are so freeing, so relieving. There is something so powerful about a deep, but calm breath. You feel your whole body fill and dig deep inside yourself feeling that wave of calm coming over as your lungs expand with the air. Count slowly while you breathe too, in and out. You feel so relaxed and loose after breathing exercises. Plus it can also help you feel and know what a good breath is so you try and be conscious of your breathing in everything you do, every moment of your day/life.

Close Your Eyes– I know I mentioned this above with breath and listening, but I find this aspect very important so I wanted to reiterate it again. When we close our eyes our other senses all of a sudden become more heightened as well. So while you are listening and focusing on your breathing close you eyes and just center yourself. Let your ears and breath be your main focus. Then after you feel calm and centered then you can open your eyes and take in all that is around you. You might even see everything in a new refreshed light after calming down because you are more in the moment and in-tune with all that is going on around you!

Pray/Meditate– Take this time to do what you personally do to help yourself feel calm and balanced. I find praying is what helps me. I also find praying out loud, so almost just having a conversation, is very calming. Do what is best for you though and what works for you. Everyone is different and everyone finds peace and harmony in slightly different ways. We are all unique in that way and many many other ways as well!

 

When we find ourselves fully in the moment so much of everything else slips away. Our shoulders feel lighter, our body less tense, and we suddenly feel a huge release with that big breath/sigh we are taking. Release the stressful energy you are holding and just marvel in everything around you. Don’t let the negative energy stay in that place with you. That is your safe space and your safe space has NO room for negativity and stress. No room for the hustle and bustle and craziness that stresses you out on the daily. This spot is different. This spot and this moment are unique for you and important for you. Don’t belittle this time for yourself, don’t let the everyday take over and make you think you have no time to get away and re-center, because you do have time! We have to make time for ourselves in all the craziness if we want to stay sane and full of light and life. We don’t want to be empty shells on autopilot because we never take time to dig deep and reground ourselves.

I hope these few little tips I use can help you out as well. And please if you do anything extra or different from what I do or find different ways that help you better please leave them in the comment section below! I would love to learn about some new ways as well. I am always open to learn.

S’Agapo

 

Photo by Michael Holt