Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health.  

 -Dalai Lama

Most of us are constantly bustling around with very little opportunity to center ourselves. But finding ways to gain a sense of calm during the day can be incredibly motivating. I’ve found three ways that have helped me find a sense of calm—even on my busiest days—and they’ve proven to be way more invigorating than reaching for another cup of coffee.

1. Put Your Thoughts to Paper

Without a chance to unwind, your mind can become as cluttered as that one forbidden drawer in your kitchen. When your thoughts and worries become overwhelming, you may start to feel as though it’s impossible to take hold of them all.

Keeping a journal on hand to write down all these thoughts and worries allows you to map them out on paper. When doing this, you’ll often find that all of the  stress you were holding onto was not as intimidating as it seemed at first. This practice alone provides a sense of relief. You can then sort out your day’s essential tasks with a sense of clarity.

A trick I like to do is take five minutes to write in stream of consciousness. I set my phone timer and open up a blank page, and write continuously until my time is up. In the beginning, I usually feel like I’m awkwardly putting words to paper with a bit of resistance, but once submitting myself to this process it becomes a truly meditative experience. It stands as almost a recycling bin for my mind, as I store the clutter away to go back to later in the day.

I recommend finding a journal that fits your lifestyle, one that is portable and suits your personality. You never know when you will need to stop and jot, so having it readily available is a comfort. I also like to choose one that I connect with, and that I’ll feel comfortable pulling out amongst a group of people. This is my therapeutic space, after all.

2. Enjoy Moments to Yourself

Spend a few moments with just yourself, whether it be on a brisk walk or in a quiet space, wherever you can find one—heck, even a bathroom, if it’s comfortable enough! Use this time to close your eyes and focus on your breath. Clear your mind and relieve it of any thought. This can be hard to do at first, but just remind yourself that you deserve and require this moment of solitude.

There have been multiple times when I have excused myself from a project or an activity to recollect my thoughts and take a few moments to myself. After I do so, I find that I act and respond in ways that are more aligned to my personality and don’t feel as though I’m mindlessly going about my day.

3. Schedule in Times to Disconnect

Many of us are forced to be in front of a screen or in some form of communication on a consistent basis. This type of stimulation can engulf your mind with unnecessary thoughts and make you feel as though you have more to add to your agenda.

Plan a specific time during your schedule to put aside that technology and sit in silence. You can do this during a break or even on your commute, times when you won’t feel guilty for unplugging.

Then again, you should never feel ashamed for taking some precious time to take care of you.

 

Hillary Fink is a freelance writer based in New York. She is passionate about organic food, yoga, and mindful living. She is the founder and editor of Ink & Voices, an online publication for emerging artists and writers. You can follow her on Instagram @elementsofhill