We are living in a world that is bombarded with new information.
In fact, studies have shown that the amount of information an average person nowadays processes can be as much as 74 GB a day. 74 GB is equivalent to watching 16 movies! No wonder we are feeling all anxious and overwhelmed in our daily life.
There is too much stuff for our brains to deal with.
Just looking back on the past decades, the proliferation of social media enhances communications but also leads us to be filled with endless information and updates. Whenever we want to look up something online, we receive millions of results within seconds.
Even worse, everyone is fighting for your attention. Fake news and spams are everywhere. It’s just too much for our brains to process all the information. Some of us suffer from information overload and getting over-stressed, frustrated, and anxious. It might be hard to change the environment we are in. Thus, it is crucial for us to know how to adapt ourselves to our environment.
Besides the deep relaxation methods shared in my previous post, I want to share 5 tips that can help you to calm down today.
These are simple and fun tips that can get your brain relaxed and gain positivity within 5 minutes or less.
1. Bite On A Pen to Practice Smile
Smiling is the simplest way for us to experience positive emotions and restore calmness. When you are smiling, chemical reactions are slowly taking place in your brain.
The happy substances – endorphins and serotonin will be released from our nervous system which could lead to a positive feeling in our body and mind.
Even if you don’t feel like smiling, you can still trick your brain to believe that you are smiling, and prompts the brain to produce endorphins and serotonin.
You can do so by simply putting a pen or stick in between your teeth and not letting it touch the lips. In this way, you are forming a natural smile.
Try to hold for 10 seconds, and repeat for 2 routines. This is also a good exercise to practice smiling. Do you feel something different after the exercise?
2. Gaze at Fractals
What are fractals?
Fractals are repeating patterns that are identical, or similar. We can find many fractals in the natural world and around us. For example, leaves, snowflakes, flowers, ocean waves, or artworks on mandalas and overlapping patterns.
The studies conducted by Professor Peter Lambrou have shown that people’s levels of stress are reduced by 60% from gazing at fractal patterns. Staring at fractals for a few minutes could also help to reduce our anxiety levels.
Head out into nature every now and then, get some sunlight and just look for the natural patterns. You will notice the wonders around you.
Take a few moments to observe the fluffy clouds, or simply look around for the blooming flowers. Professor Peter Lambrou has also recommended an activity that I still enjoy greatly today – get a bottle of bubbles and blow bubbles outdoor.
Experience for yourself and notice the stress level before and after gazing at the fractals. You will be surprised at how calm and relaxed you feel.
3. Imagine You Are A Bag Of Potatoes Running Loose
In the book, The Power of Positive Thinking for Young People, the author Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, has shared an interesting relaxation tip from Captain Eddie Rickenbacker.
Captain Eddie Rickenbacker was an American fighter ace in World War I and was considered to be the most successful fighter ace in the war. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, on the other hand, is known as the father of positive thinking.
The two great men encountered each other in one television program filming. Dr. Peale was impressed with how the great Captain remains calm and patient when there is a sudden change in the schedule. So Dr. Peale asked about the Captain’s technique to keep calm under stress.
Captain revealed his relaxation strategy:
First, relax your body. You can’t have a relaxed mind in a tense body. Sit loosely and make yourself limp.
Then, imagine you are a jellyfish or a huge bag of potatoes. The potatoes are just like the tension in your body. Mentally open the bag and let the potatoes rush out.
Lift your arms once, and let them fall limply. Do the same with your legs and eyelids. While doing this, you can say to yourself “All stress is leaving me, all tension is subsiding.”
Feel all the tensions leaving your muscles.
Lastly. Drain the mind. You can’t insert the positives when your brain is clogged with all the negatives. Replace every thought of irritation and impatience with a positive one. Captain Eddie’s way is to think spiritually and turn the mind toward God. Empty the mind of worry and refill it with God.
4. Do the Rajio Taiso 3 Minutes Stretching Routine
Rajio Taiso (ラジオ体操) ‘s literally translation is “radio calisthenics”. It is a radio program in Japan that broadcasts a set of warm-up exercise guidelines along with music since the 1930s. The exercise is suitable for all age groups, easy to follow, and requires no equipment.
It’s a simple short 3 minutes stretching exercise but comes with great health benefits. The exercise is fun and involves all muscle groups. Though it’s only 3 minutes, my heart rate will usually pick up during the exercise.
The stretching exercise not only keeps our muscles strong and healthy but also produces endorphins in our nervous system. Endorphins could trigger a positive feeling in the body that may improve your sense of well-being and overall mood.
Follow the exercise here:
5. Drink or Smell Some Lemon
Lemons have been found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress and anxiety, and help us feel calmer overall. Lemon contains rich vitamin C, which has proven to help people bounce back more easily from a stressful situation.
Not just that, lemons or citrus fragrances can help to improve mood and ease anxiety. The uplifting aroma can help you to feel more relaxed and have a fresher and clearer mind.
I always love to have a cup of hot lemon honey. A hot drink in hand always brings me happiness, and the aroma of lemon rejuvenates me. Try it out yourself for the magical effect.
These little tips could help you to restore calmness in daily life. However, it is important for us to always be mindful of our bodies and look out for the signs whether is physical fatigue or emotional distress.
Do not burn yourself out, and let’s all take care of our bodies and find balance in life.
Share with me in the comments which tips would you like to try out today!
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