Practicing mindfulness is the best way to attain a calm mind. (Image via Unsplash/Patrick Schneider)

Mindfulness: 6 Simple Tips for a Calm Mind

Timeless

If you've ever looked at your to-do list and felt overwhelmed, perhaps it's time to start thinking about how to attain a calm mind and live a more mindful life. Mindfulness can make all the difference in how we handle stress, stay focused on our goals, and even relate better to others.

Here are some simple tips that will help you become more mindful throughout your day for a calm mind:

How to Calm Down: Simple Steps Towards Mindfulness

Here are six ways to do so:

#1 Listen to Nature

Spending more time in nature can calm the mind. (Image via Unsplash/Qingbao Meng)

If you're feeling stressed and anxious, listen to nature. The sound of rain on a window can be very soothing. If it's not raining, try listening to recordings of rain on YouTube or Spotify. The sound of waves crashing against the shore is another great way to relax the mind and body.

If neither of these options work, try listening to any other type of natural sound like wind in trees or birds chirping nearby; whatever helps bring peace into your life will do.

#2 Take a Few Minutes of Meditation

Practicing meditation helps regulate your nervous system. (Image via Unsplash / Leonard Cotte)

Meditation is a great way to achieve a calm mind, especially when you're feeling stressed or anxious.

It's also one of the easiest ways to meditate. You can do it anywhere, any time -even in the middle of a busy day. Just sit down, and focus on your breath for 5-10 minutes (you can use apps for guided meditation).

As you breathe in, think about how good it feels as air fills up into your lungs. As you breathe out, think about how nice it would be if all of that stress could just fall away with each exhale instead of hanging around like an unwelcome guest inside my body.

#3 Breathe in Deeply

Calm Mind: Breathing exercises relieves stress and anxiety. (Image via Unsplash/Calder B)

Breathing exercises are a simple way to relieve stress, relax the body and mind, focus on the present moment, and even improve sleep quality. Practicing physiological sigh can help reduce stress and anxiety.

You can try this breathing exercise any time you feel anxious or stressed out:

Inhale deeply through your nose till the lungs are full of air (to the point where it feels uncomfortable).
Hold this breath in for a few seconds before exhaling slowly through pursed lips.
Repeat the process till you feel relaxed again.

#4 Give Yourself a Break

Relaxation is a great way to relieve stress. (Image via Unsplash/Adrian Pawel)

The key to stress relief is simple: take some time to relax, and enjoy the moment. Don't beat yourself up for mistakes you have made or worry about things that are out of your control.

It's easy to get caught up in the stress of life, but it's important not to let it consume you. Give yourself a break from all this pressure by doing something fun or relaxing - maybe even both at once.

#5 Relax your body

Relax and drop your shoulders is a great exercises for a calm mind. (Image via Unsplash/Louis Hansel)

Your posture will suffer if you're tense. Sit up tall, and take a deep breath, dropping your shoulders.

To do that, bring your shoulder blades together and down as you pull them down. Do that several times throughout the day to keep your posture in check.

#6 Get Active Outside

Body movement is essential for a calm mind. (Image via Unsplash/Olivia Bauso)

You don't have to be a fitness fanatic or even enjoy physical activity, but getting outside and moving the body is essential for maintaining a calm mind. The fresh air will help clear your head and get some perspective on various stresses.

If you're more of a homebody, try doing yoga or Tai Chi in your living room. It's also important to note that if you're not an athlete by nature, don't feel discouraged from trying new things. You might find that there are activities out there that are fun for everyone.

How to Relax Your Mind?

Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to the present moment and not being overwhelmed by thoughts about the past or future.

It helps focus on what's happening in your body and mind in the present moment rather than getting caught up in other 'stories' that can pull you away from that experience.

Mindfulness practice can be done anywhere at any time, even while taking a shower or walking down the street. Try this simple mindfulness exercise for calm mind:

Pick an object nearby (like your phone or computer)
Focus all your attention on it for one minute. Notice its shape, color and texture as well as any sounds it make when touched.

These are just a few of the ways you can incorporate mindfulness into your daily life to achieve a calm mind.

It's easy to get started, and it can be as simple or complex as you like depending on how much time and effort you want to put into it. The important thing is that there's no wrong way. Just find something that works for you.

Edited by
Bhargav