Life has been busy for me lately, very busy. I barely have time to do menial and necessary chores like laundry and grocery shopping, but of course I need to fit them in somehow. A girl’s gotta eat, after all. With all my attention being stripped away for work and duties and chores, I’ve been feeling that my presence has been slipping away as well. Or has it? Just by acknowledging the fact that I am feeling this way proves to me I am actually present and to me this is good news; they say acknowledgement is the first step, so I think I’m on the right track. Becoming aware that my time is so limited right now has also forced me to become more creative in finding ways to de-stress and retain some sort of balance and peace in my life. What I have found during these busy times is that, although I do not currently have the luxury of lots of free time to do as I please, nor the energy to do anything if I did, I am able to find a sense of peace and joy with simplicity.

Breath is Life
Ever notice how when you’re running around or feeling really stressed out you feel out of breath? At times, you may even notice you are actually holding your breath. It’s a strange, yet common phenomenon. Luckily, our bodies are sophisticated enough to allow us to breathe even though we sometimes forget to do it for ourselves, but becoming aware of our breath can help us immensely in feeling present and at peace. The next time you are feeling overwhelmed, pause and just take a few deep breaths. You’ll be amazed how great you’ll feel afterwards. So even though you might not have a full hour or even a half hour for a deep breathing meditation, taking some long, deep breaths throughout the day will help you to feel calmer and happier.

Water is Healing – Water Replenishes
Enjoying the benefits of water is a wonderful and easy way to achieve a sense of calm and balance in your life. Drinking water throughout the day not only nourishes your body, but your spirit too. Staying hydrated and refreshed helps your mind be more alert, allowing you to think more clearly and perform more efficiently. A soothing bath or lingering hot shower are also great ways to de-stress and enjoy a little “me time”. While in the bath, dim the lights, light a few candles and just let go. If you feel like this is too indulgent, remind yourself that bathing is necessary. Believe me, you’ll not only appreciate these few extra moments in the tub or under the shower’s rainfall, but those around you will thank you too.

The Sound of Music
Music always helps me feel more at peace, regardless of the genre. When I’m feeling low on energy and like I’m beginning to pass into a coma, I turn on some energetic electronic or pop music and find myself instantly bopping my head and dancing in my chair. At the end of the day, when I want to just relax and quiet myself to lull myself to sleep, a little classical or new age music really helps soothe me to the very core. So, the next time you feel your mood is not what it should be, tune in to your favourite music, and tune out the chaos of the day.

What a Surprise!
I usually pack my lunch for work and even though I barely have time to make myself a decent lunch, I always try to throw in an extra “treat” to have later in the day. By the time lunchtime rolls around, I’m usually feeling the doldrums of the day, and sometimes can’t even remember what I’ve packed myself to eat. Seeing the little treat I packed along with my lunch when I open it up instantly perks me up (and the extra sugar doesn’t hurt either). It may sound silly, but somehow seeing a snack or dessert in my lunch bag takes me back to childhood when my mom would include a little treat with my lunch. That moment of nostalgia is an instant “pick me up” and a reminder that I am special and helps me carry on with the rest of my day. So, take that extra minute in the morning to throw in a little treat and show yourself how much you mean to you.

Laughter is the Best Medicine
“They’ve” been telling us this for ages, and finally “they” got it right it this time. Without going into a lengthy science lecture on how laughter works on biophysical, biochemical, and biogenergetic levels, I will say that laughter has been scientifically proven to improve our physical and mental health. So the next time you’re feeling down and out or utterly exhausted, just laugh it out. You don’t even have to laugh at anything funny, just let go and laugh and be sure to spread the joy by laughing near others because laughter is one of those mysterious contagious tendencies we just can’t resist.

It shouldn’t and doesn’t take much to feel present and in the moment, nor should it take any more effort to make yourself feel special and happy. When times get busy and you don’t even know where to begin to make yourself slow down, remember these simple ideas. With time, you’ll find yourself coming up with new and innovative ways to feel present, peaceful, joyful, and calm no matter how stressful life gets.

~Daniela Masaro