Calming tips

1. Walk Away

Walk Away Know your triggers. If a conversation about global warming, consumerism, or the trash crisis in the U.S. is overwhelming you, simply excuse yourself. 

2. Close Your Eyes

Close Your Eyes Gently let the world disappear, and go within to regain your equilibrium. 

3. Find Some Solitude

Find Some Solitude This can be challenging if you are at work, or at home with kids as creative and energetic as mine. But we all need some private time to let the nervous system regenerate. 

Be creative. Find your space. Any way you can. Even it involves black construction paper.

4. Go Outside

Go Outside This is a true lifesaver for everybody. I need to be outside for at least an hour every day to get my sanity fix. Granted, I'm extremely lucky to be able to do so as a stay-at-home mom. But I think I would somehow work it into my schedule even if I had to commute into the city every day. 

5. Find Some Water

On the rainy or snowy days that I can't walk the double stroller over to our local creeks, I do something the global-warming guys say not to; take a long shower, imagining that I am in the middle of a beautiful Hawaiian rain forest.

"Water helps in many ways," writes Elaine Aron. "When overaroused, keep drinking it--a big glass of it once an hour. Walk beside some water, look at it, listen to it. Get into some if you can, for a bath or a swim. Hot tubs and hot springs are popular for good reasons."

6. Breathe Deeply

Breathe Deeply Breathing is the foundation of sanity, because it is the way we provide our brain and every other vital organ in our body with the oxygen needed for us to survive. Breathing also eliminates toxins from our systems. 

"Four Square" method of breathing to reduce anxiety:

1. Breathe in slowly to a count of four.

2. Hold the breath for a count of four.

3. Exhale slowly through pursed lips to a count of four.

4. Rest for a count of four (without taking any breaths).

5. Take two normal breaths.

6. Start over again with number one.

7. Listen to Music

Listen to Music Across the ages, music has been used to soothe and relax. 

The gorgeous song--like all good music--could stroke that tender place within me that words couldn't get to.