10 Tips For Taming Your Tension

10 Tips For Taming Your Tension

Feeling a bit overwhelmed on the inside? A trip outside may be just what you need.

When you immerse yourself in nature, what do you feel?

How about when you get away from the city for a few days or just go for a quick hike nearby?

Do you feel yourself relax?

Are you uplifted by the vibrant greens and blues, the birds singing and the squirrels scampering?

Even a walk around the block can bring you to this place of relaxation. If it’s hard to remember the last time you found yourself in nature, it’s been too long.

If it’s been too long, you might now be feeling the call. The call to reconnect with the stillness that nature automatically provides.

The stillness that we seek is not actually outside of ourselves, though. In fact, it is our innermost core.

A deep, abiding peace that is simply reflected back to us when we allow for stillness in our lives. Nature channels this inner essence and makes it available to us, if we can make time for it.

The example seen when you watch a plant grow, or the waves crashing on the shore, a bird soaring, or your pet playing is one of such simplicity that you might even find yourself yearning for something similar.

“Free as a bird,” The Beatles sang. What if this freedom is already waiting for you?

Here’s 10 things you can do to feel more free:

  1. Get out of the building on your next break.
  2. Take a few deep breaths of fresh air.
  3. Skip down the sidewalk on your way back from lunch (I dare you to do this with straight face).
  4. Flash a smile to at least 5 people, leave them wondering “what’s that guy/gal so happy about?
  5. Be still. I like to meditate. You might like to watch the clouds or pet an animal.
  6. Use your imagination while being creative. Paint. Write a story. Doodle something fun.
  7. Go on a walk with an old friend.
  8. Call your mom, she’s been waiting to hear from you.
  9. Take a nap, smack dab in the middle of your day.
  10. Give away that which you most need. Feel like you need a hug? Show some love!

Each of these is a step outside of daily overwhelm and can be used right now. You don’t need to wait for “someday” to be more of who you truly are.

A bird? Not as free as you!

Stress Release Tip

When you get out there, out in nature, really allow yourself to settle in. How? Start by taking a few deep breaths. Feel your feet on the ground. Let your senses open up — what do you see? What do you hear? Is there a breeze? Feel the warmth of the sun, look around, get your nose out of your phone and your let your gaze drift to the clouds. Present moment awareness turns off the stress response. No thought, no worries.

Mindful Moment

What are you most aware of right now? What thoughts are going through your head? What emotions are flashing through your body? See if you can make room for these sense perceptions to simply arise and pass away, without retreating into thinking about them. No labeling necessary, just direct experience.

Quote From Adam

“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.”
– Chinese proverb

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