Five Tips to Quiet Your Mind

Is stress leaving you drained and zapping the joy in your life?  Two-thirds of visits to family doctors are for stress-related symptoms.  Challenging situations will always be a part of our lives, but we can learn to manage stress better to avoid physical and emotional pain. Here are five tips to help you conquer stress and quiet your mind.

1.      Slow down. Yes, you can do it!  Breathe deeply. Eat slowly. Savor the experience of dining with loved ones. If you are feeling overwhelmed with all you need to do, make a not-to-do list.  Focus on what is most important and leave the rest for another time. Be present to the joys of the moment.

2.      Lighten up. Laugh more, worry less.  Grab your kids or your husband and dance around the house. Watch a funny movie, recall moments of fun, tell a joke, or read the comics. Laughter releases tension and lifts our mood.

3.      Keep moving.  Yoga is a gentle exercise combined with healthy breathing that brings a relaxed state of mind. Find exercise that you enjoy and do it regularly to release stress and boost endorphins.

4.       Prepare your body and mind for restful sleep.  Try a warm bath with drops of lavender oil or put two drops of lavender oil on your pillow for relaxation. About an hour before bed, dim the lights, turn off the computer or TV, and play soft music or read. This lets your body know that it is time to slow down and get ready for sleep.  End your day by writing five things you are grateful for in a gratitude journal. This will keep you focused on the positive and create peace.

5.      The food-mood connection. Food matters. The food we eat can either increase our stress or decrease it. A diet high in sugar, processed food, and soda can make us feel anxious, moody, or irritable because of the blood sugar swings.  Magnesium is the relaxation mineral so by choosing foods that are high in magnesium you will be able to handle stress better,  Some magnesium rich foods are beans, avocados, dates, brown rice, almonds, cashews, shrimp, and greens.  Foods with Omega 3’s like walnuts, fish, flax seeds and chia seeds help to balance mood as well.

As we slow down, focus on the positive, create peace, and nurture our body with whole foods, we will find balance in our lives.  Joy comes from a life in balance.