Five Ways To Ease Stress.

[redrobyn]

(1) Sit and focus on your breathing..Become aware of the air flowing into your nose and out of your mouth.

(2) Begin to widen your focus and become aware of sounds and ideas,and consider each without judgement.If your mind wanders,focus on breathing.

(3) Notice the sounds and sensations of the moment and don't let your mind wander to the past or the future.Pay attention and discover which mental habits produce feelings of suffering or wellbeing.

(4) Don't give up.Sometimes this process won't seem relaxing at all.Aim to do 20-45 minutes of mindfulness practice most days of the week.

(5)As long as you pay attention to what is happening at the moment,your practice can be carried out while doing other things,such as sitting on a bus or walking the dog.

[jenr]

Good tips Red my problem is trying to stop the mind from getting the wanders

[old woman]

Some good tips there Red, I have just sat here for a few minutes & all I could here was the sound you get in your ears when it's really quiet ( blood flowing? ) & the fan on my lappy....lovely, KP always has the telly on, so it's nice to sit & just be

[Frannie]

Some good tips there Red.....

[happyasapiginmud]

Your tips to destress are also a great way to get to sleep....I used to do a similar process to go off to sleep....now I am just so permanently buggered all I have to do is lay horizontal and I am out for the count.

[chickenbub]

Thanks Red, I am a big believer of mindfulness to help de stress and find some inner peace. I needed a reminder to get back to doing it more often though.

For those Taft struggle set yourself goals for example list in your head 5 different sounds you can hear, 5 different things you can feel as in touch and describe it eg, fabric of t shirt your wearing is soft etc and by doing this it focuses the mind on the here and now. Every time your mind wanders bring it back to counting your breathing then repeat everything. Will take a while but after a week or so it will get easier. Most importantly don't get upset with yourself when your mind does wander, that's normal, just keep bringing it back bu don't judge how well you can do it or your efforts.

[Mad Old Cow]

I can go straight off to sleep but if I wake 2 hours later I am stuffed for the night
If I am in the car as a passenger I can do what you said Red but I cannot do it if I am home because my mind just takes over anything I am trying to focus on

[Binx]

My 5 ways:
Punch things,
Scream,
Drive fast,
Ignore everything,
Pat the dog.

[happyasapiginmud]

My 5 ways:
Punch things,
Scream,
Drive fast,
Ignore everything,
Pat the dog.

All of that works too!!!!!