This year has been unexpected, something we never imagined, and most of us have been left feeling uncertain about the future.
Even as workplaces have reopened and the pace of life has sped up, life feels limited by space. The space inside your walls, the restaurants and the shops, but also the space between each person. Even in the open air, we feel nervous as another human being walks past.
What we often forget is that we each have all of the tools we need to feel better. We just need to be reminded how to find them.
This article will take you through a few simple things you can do, to change your perspective and boost your mood, without leaving the comfort of your home.
Know your own mind
The first step towards complete relaxation, when stress levels rise, is to know your own mind. It sounds obvious — go straight to the root of the problem, but we all make the mistake of struggling on… Without first considering what is actually wrong.
There are some anxieties that creep in without an easy answer, some that we always live with, but it’s still important to ask yourself ‘How do I feel?’ and ‘Why might I feel this way?’
When you ask yourself these questions, you move closer to finding out ‘What do I need to feel good right now?’ Sometimes going back to basics is exactly what your body needs, so here are a few sensory solutions that you can try at home.
Take a look around
Working from home often involves screen-time. This helps us stay connected and complete set tasks, but when our eyes strain for too long they become irritated and can increase fatigue.
If you find that you are lacking motivation or struggling to stay awake, try taking your eyes away for a few minutes. You could set a timer every half an hour, indicating when to give yourself a rest. Dictation and ‘read aloud’ tools are also useful if you are working to a deadline and can’t afford to take breaks so regularly.
Breathe in, breathe out
This is one of the easiest things you can do to relax. No equipment, no movement, just breathe. When you start to feel stressed, overwhelmed or uncomfortable in your current environment, close your and take some deep breaths.
The 4–7–8 method is just one of many yoga techniques used to slow your heart rate, calm your mind and boost your mood. It’s simple: breathe in for 4 seconds, hold it for 7 seconds, then release for 8 seconds.
If you have a few moments between meetings, or you’re waiting for your coffee to cool down, try a breathing exercise that you feel comfortable with. You can also add candles or diffusers to help create a peaceful atmosphere.
Listen up
Sounds can distract us and irritate us when we hear them at the wrong time, but chosen with care they can help us focus. They can help us tune into the present.
When the outside world seems tempting and you find yourself staring out of windows, bring the outside in. Play some birdsong music or listen to gentle waves touching sand.
This might help you feel connected to something beyond the room you are sitting in. It could also help you remember that this difficult season won’t last forever.
Hold on tight
Holding on can be a mindset: perseverance and determination. It can also be physical. In these uncertain times, hold onto yourself, comfort yourself and keep yourself company.
The power of touch is often forgotten when we think of our senses. When we spend time alone, time away from other people, we forget just how important it is, to be held tight. Studies have shown that some anxieties can be reduced by a simple hug or holding hands.
When you find yourself deep in your emotions, without someone else nearby, there are physical actions that you can do to help yourself. Roll your head, your neck, your shoulders. Give everything a massage, a little squeeze. This can ease the tension after working at a desk or looking at a screen.
You can also try holding a warm flannel to your face. All of these small things can play a big part in helping you release your stress and emotions that you have been carrying.
Written by Ella Taylor
Ella Taylor is an English and Creative Writing graduate who has spent the last year studying nature writing. Her interests include our relationship with nature, our relationships with each other, and different ways to increase our happiness.
