How to relax your mind in a few minutes

The ‘hustle culture’ has us in its grip – we’re always in work mode, and when we’re not working, we’re thinking about work, running errands or relentlessly consuming content off the web.

This rigmarole takes a toll on our minds, because we never give it a chance to switch off. Continue like this without a break and you’ll soon find yourself feeling irritable and fatigued, like you’ve reached the end of your tether. That feeling is your body’s way of telling you it needs a break – and you’d be wise to listen to it.

The ‘hustle culture’ has us in its grip – we’re always in work mode, and when we’re not working, we’re thinking about work, running errands or relentlessly consuming content off the web.

This rigmarole takes a toll on our minds, because we never give it a chance to switch off. Continue like this without a break and you’ll soon find yourself feeling irritable and fatigued, like you’ve reached the end of your tether. That feeling is your body’s way of telling you it needs a break – and you’d be wise to listen to it.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed with work and are wondering how to relax your mind and body, here are a few things you can do. And no, this doesn’t involve paying for expensive holidays and spa treatments!

Simple tips on how to relax your mind and body

These tried-and-tested activities for relieving stress and calming your mind can be done anywhere, any time.

Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness requires you to focus only on the present, and thereby, be fully present in the moment. A great way to practice mindfulness is by focusing on your breath. Alternatively, you could decide to wash the dishes, take a shower, or even do a few stretches, and focus only on the task at hand. Take your time with the process and give your full attention to the action of the moment. Don’t try to hurry through the process or distract yourself with music or a TV series. Do this for at least 10-15 minutes and you’re sure to feel refreshed.

Journal

While journaling may seem like an odd activity for relaxation, it is actually incredibly helpful – it slows down your thoughts and puts you in a state of calm. If you’re feeling angry, frustrated or worried, write down your feelings to self-soothe; if you want to give yourself a mood-boost, try gratitude journaling.

Exercise

You could either do a 10-minute HIIT routine, dance or practice jump rope. The brisk activity forces you to pause your thoughts and focus on your movements. An added advantage of doing these activities is that they lead to a release of endorphins, chemicals that improve your mood, focus and sleep.

Progressive muscle relaxation

This is a great activity to relax your mind from stress. You can do this by yourself or watch a PMR video for guidance. PMR involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups. So, you could start with your eyes; scrunch them closed for a couple of seconds and let them relax. Next, move on to your shoulders, arms, fingers, legs, so on and so forth. Along with helping you unwind, this activity can also relieve headaches and help you sleep better.

Get creative

You don’t have to be Picasso to enjoy painting. Drawing, colouring, and doodling can be a great way to relax. If you don’t know what to draw, you could always take the help of colouring and doodling books for adults. Try to enjoy the process rather than fixate on the outcome. This will help you get comfortable with creating.

If art isn’t for you, you could scrapbook, tend to your garden, write a letter or do anything else that you enjoy. However, stay away from binge-watching a television show or checking social media – these activities bombard your mind with information and make it numb. This is not a relaxing experience.

Take a short nap

If you’re feeling very stressed or overwhelmed, a short nap can actually help you relax and gain control over your emotions. Getting sufficient sleep at night is also key to feeling relaxed throughout the day.

Now that you know how to relax your mind and body, take a few minutes every day to practice some of the activities suggested above. You’ll find yourself feeling more grounded, calm, and happy.

FAQs

1) Does diet affect my mental health?

Yes, it does. Diet affects your mood – and that’s because your brain shares a close relationship with your GI tract (1). Bad gut bacteria hampers the production of neurotransmitters – chemicals in your brain – and this causes fluctuations in your mood.

Foods that are good for your body and mind include whole grain foods, antioxidant-rich foods, fermented foods, and foods rich in folate, magnesium and vitamin D. If you think your diet isn’t providing you with the right nutrients, take the right supplements to power up.

2) Are there any supplements that can help me relax?

Yes, Setu’s sleep supplements not only improve your sleep quality, they also help you relax and unwind. That’s because they contain nature-based ingredients like jatamansi extract, passion flower, and chamomile extract, each of which is known for its powerful, relaxing benefits. Some of our most calming supplements include Sleep: Restore Magic Mints, Sleep: Relax Mints and Sleep: Relax Gummies. Our supplements are totally safe to consume – they are non-addictive and non-habit forming.

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