5 Simple Habits To Calm Your Anxious Mind

“Most people’s minds are loud, chaotic, and full of self-judgments and negativity. Assaulted with a near-constant stream of worries and anxieties, many of us have learned to be afraid of our own thoughts. So, we fill our time and attention with distractions and busyness to avoid getting caught with even a few spare moments of mental downtime.

What follows are five mental habits that will lead to a calmer and less anxious mind.

1. Limit mental time travel

Getting stuck in the past and future can also mean missing out on the present. Many of life’s most enjoyable and meaningful moments happen in the present. But if your mind is stuck worrying about the future or dwelling about the past, you’re likely to miss those precious moments in the here and now. Visit the past and the future, but never allow yourself to live there.

2. Check your expectations

If you want a calmer, more peaceful mind, you need to drastically reduce the number of active expectations in your life. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that not only does the world not come to an end, but your peace of mind will improve substantially.

3. Practice self-compassion

The next time you’re struggling, and your mind is wracked with negative self-talk and worry, try talking to yourself like a good friend who was struggling with something similar. A peaceful mind is a compassionate mind.

4. Clarify your values

Cultivating a values orientation to life means that you strive to make decisions based on your values — your highest goals, aspirations, and principles — especially when your feelings are pulling you in a different direction. If you want a more peaceful mind, give it a real purpose.

5. Memento Mori

There’s an ancient practice from stoic philosophy to keep a human skull on your desk or place of work. This practice is called memento mori, which is Latin for remember that you must die. In order to slow your life down enough to relieve that constant stress and anxiety, you must be willing to face up to your own mortality and your responsibility to do something meaningful with your life. Now, I get that that sounds kind of intimidating. So, start small. Do one small thing every day that reminds you ever so slightly that life is short. Maybe copy out that Mary Oliver quote onto a sticky note and put it on your bathroom mirror.”

Read the complete full article on Medium

✨Takeaway: Many of us have developed a fear of our own thoughts as a result of being bombarded by a nearly continual stream of worries and anxieties. Learn how to calm your negative thoughts and organize your cluttered mind in order to devote time to following your passions rather than avoiding your concerns. Make a commitment to developing better thought patterns if you want to nurture a calmer mind.

✨Reflection: What habit’s can you implement to foster a less anxious mind?

#Anxiety #Calm #Habits #MentalHealth