Time-saving Exercises for a Healthy Mind.

A proper diet may be sufficient for a healthy body, if enough energy is provided. Muscles can further be strengthened through physical exercise such as running, swimming, cardio etc. However, with all the new diet plans and workout regimens on the rise, the focus has been shifted solely on strenuous workouts so that the results of a well-toned body are apparent for others to appreciate. Secondly, it is a common misconception that calming exercises directly translate to relaxation, which requires too much free time. It is important for us to change this thinking and realize that our minds cannot focus well under constant stress. Therefore, this article sheds light on some simple and effective ways to calm the mind in a short time.

Taking Deep Breaths

Focused breathing helps the mind to relax and remove all negative thoughts by concentrating simply on inhaling and exhaling. Blood pressure is also stabilized in this way, and after only a few minutes, one starts to feel light and refreshed. It is extremely easy to follow and can even be done sitting down at your workplace. The procedure is simple; inhale deeply through the nose, hold your breath for a few seconds and exhale through the mouth.

Mindfulness Meditation

Like deep breathing, mindfulness meditation aims to relax the body with focused thoughts, more so than focused breathing. It is done by creating a comfortable environment for the body and sitting preferably in an upright position or lying down straight. You can choose to do this for as little as 10 minutes, or for as long as you want. Hereby, the mind allows thoughts to come and go. This helps relieve the person of anxiety from overthinking, panicking, and allows self-reflection as well.

Prayer

Praying is a way of letting go off worldly thoughts and focusing solely on The Creator. This allows one to think beyond their own day-to-day problems and work on their spiritual connection with The Creator. It also helps us appreciate what we have and contemplate on the beauty that is within the world, rather than focus our negative energies on trivial issues. The act of “letting go” also helps us become more calm and maintaining that “connection” is one of the most fool-proof ways of fighting loneliness.

Yoga and Stretching Exercises

Yoga is a way whereby we exercise our body to calm the mind. The act of stretching of the body in a certain way for long periods of time allows one to relax and is also an effective remedy for removing stress. There are a variety of yoga postures, for beginner and advanced levels. This is an exercise which can be performed by any person at home by themselves, for a suitable period of time, or in a class where they can follow an instructor.

Massages

A simple way to relax both the mind and muscles is through massages. They help with better blood circulation through the body, and provide relief from headaches, cramps and backaches. Many spas and salons offer massages by professional masseuses. Apart from this, massage chairs and equipment such as rollers can also be bought and used at home, at one’s own convenience.

Music

Oftentimes, all it takes for the mind to calm down is a good tune. Each person has their own version of relaxing or calming music. Some may find joy in listening to upbeat music, while others may find relief in something slower. Not only does it help alleviate tension, but also uplifts ones mood. In some cases, listening to audios of nature such as rain, birds chirping, or water waves crashing against the shore are great for relaxation too.

Body baths

Warm showers and body baths are scientifically proven to soothe the nerves in the body and help relieve hypertension. There are multiple baths one can make for themselves, depending on what temperature of water they prefer, but generally lukewarm or warm baths are said to be more relaxing while colder baths make a person feel more energized.

Writing

There was a time when people (myself included) used to keep journals. In today’s world, rather than expressing our feelings, we are more determined on finding ways to deal with them by suppressing them. Furthermore, with such a lack of time as it is, talking to one’s self often seems like madness. However, penning down thoughts and emotions on paper is a useful tool for people with a lot on their minds. It helps relieve stress and anxiety, allows for self-reflection and improvisation, and ensures better organization skills.

Guided Imagery

Guided imagery makes use of one’s imagination to relax and stay calm. This sensory journey can be achieved with the help of an instructor or voice recordings. The process requires thinking of something by using all the senses, which makes it evocative and calming. The activity is enjoyable and helps to stimulate different parts of the brain, in trying to imagine different feelings and sensations.

In conclusion, when we think about happiness and success, we automatically associate it to health and money. It’s no surprise then, that all we think about these days in terms of health is the physical sense of getting an annual checkup done or taking care of medical insurance. Our fast-paced lives do not even allow us time to consider our mental and spiritual health. Both are essential not only to fight fatigue and stress, but also for basic survival.

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