While talking with a colleague and friend, she stated something very profound which resonated with me, “ You think way too much, you need to empty your mental capacity.” I had to stop and replay what she said. I realized that she was 100% correct. We spend a great amount of time in our own heads which in turn creates worry and anxiety. I then began to think of many times when I was fixated on a situation that in hindsight was not at all as big as I was making it out to be, but because I did not address the concern, it became a mountain of anxiety that I was trying to get around rather than a small rock in my path. It is as though your mind is a storage unit that it filled with boxes upon boxes of “stuff”. Each box representing something; worry, anxiety, the past, present and so much more. When a new event in life happens such as marriage, the birth of a child, or a promotion at work, we find ourselves wanting to document and celebrate these occasions, therefore, we clean out or move items to make way for something new. The only problem is that we cannot always fully enjoy the happiness that we receive when our mental storage is full of baggage that we refuse to let go. It is not safe nor healthy to hold on to negativity. Here are 5 ways to release the tension and begin emptying your mental storage.
1.) Breath Like a Baby It is natural to take deep breathes in through your nose and out through your mouth, but when breathing as a baby it is the opposite. When breathing in through mouth, your belly will expand, and while breathing out through your nose, your stomach will go in as though you are pulling your belly button back towards your spine. When breathing in use a 3 to 4 count, then hold that breathe for another 3 to 4 count, then release for a 3 to 4 count, then hold the release for 3 to 4 counts. This will take practice, but you will spend a great deal of time focusing on how to utilize your breathing. This also allows time for your mind to relax and focus on breathing in life and releasing tension. For those who may be singers or play a woodwind instrument, this is the same type of breathing that you would use
2.)Talk It Out As stated before, it is easy to get in our own head and stay there. Find a trusted friend, Counselor, or group setting that allows for you to speak freely. It feels awesome being able to get things off your chest. Also, talking about it can allow you to process and resolve the matter rather than it just sitting in your mental storage and taking up space.
3.)Write On Toilet Paper Yes, I said it, write on toilet paper. Use the toilet paper as a means to write what you’re feeling or what is bothering you. It is not easy to write on toilet paper, therefore you will need to take your time. Once it is out on the paper, you are then going to put it in the toilet and flush. This signifies discarding the negativity you are feeling and relinquishing it. Once you flush the toilet, it no longer belongs to you.
4.) Tai Chi Tai Chi is meditation in motion. This art form has been linked to reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, along with improving moods.
5.) Exercise We have all been told to exercise as a means to release tension, but I am going to challenge you to continue to exercise, but slow down your pace. When you slow down while exercising, this allows for more concentrated breathing and a means to focus on the task at hand. The concentration on breathing relieves tension from our hips, legs, and shoulders which are all areas where tension is carried.
1.) Breath Like a Baby It is natural to take deep breathes in through your nose and out through your mouth, but when breathing as a baby it is the opposite. When breathing in through mouth, your belly will expand, and while breathing out through your nose, your stomach will go in as though you are pulling your belly button back towards your spine. When breathing in use a 3 to 4 count, then hold that breathe for another 3 to 4 count, then release for a 3 to 4 count, then hold the release for 3 to 4 counts. This will take practice, but you will spend a great deal of time focusing on how to utilize your breathing. This also allows time for your mind to relax and focus on breathing in life and releasing tension. For those who may be singers or play a woodwind instrument, this is the same type of breathing that you would use
2.)Talk It Out As stated before, it is easy to get in our own head and stay there. Find a trusted friend, Counselor, or group setting that allows for you to speak freely. It feels awesome being able to get things off your chest. Also, talking about it can allow you to process and resolve the matter rather than it just sitting in your mental storage and taking up space.
3.)Write On Toilet Paper Yes, I said it, write on toilet paper. Use the toilet paper as a means to write what you’re feeling or what is bothering you. It is not easy to write on toilet paper, therefore you will need to take your time. Once it is out on the paper, you are then going to put it in the toilet and flush. This signifies discarding the negativity you are feeling and relinquishing it. Once you flush the toilet, it no longer belongs to you.
4.) Tai Chi Tai Chi is meditation in motion. This art form has been linked to reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, along with improving moods.
5.) Exercise We have all been told to exercise as a means to release tension, but I am going to challenge you to continue to exercise, but slow down your pace. When you slow down while exercising, this allows for more concentrated breathing and a means to focus on the task at hand. The concentration on breathing relieves tension from our hips, legs, and shoulders which are all areas where tension is carried.