Let's face it – we've all had those days where we wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Or, we are on a roll, and something happens that throws us right off balance. Instead of letting these things derail your entire day, why not take a few steps to help you refocus your day and get back on track?
Refocusing your mind can be as simple as taking five minutes to sit back, relax, and breathe.
Managing Your Stress
Stress can manifest in many different ways. When not properly managed, it can lead to more than just a bad day. Stress can wreak havoc on the body physically, mentally, and emotionally. If left unchecked, it can lead to:
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Headaches
Even if stress doesn't seem to be affecting your physical health, it may be impacting other areas of your life, such as your work life.
According to the American Institute of Stress, when it comes to the main cause of stress in most individuals, approximately 46% of all stress is attributed to a person's workload. When that stress isn't dealt with properly, it begins to show in your workplace productivity. Not only can it start affecting your mood, but it can affect the relationships you have at work, causing you to isolate, leading to decreased communication and just overall poor-quality work.
Sure, we all experience some level of stress throughout our lives. It is normal! However, instead of allowing it to ruin your day or make you feel inadequate, why not try a few tactics to help you refocus your day?
6 Relaxation Strategies To Help Refocus Your Day
No matter where you need to refocus, there are dozens of different strategies that can help you take a moment for yourself. These strategies can help you reduce, if not eliminate, any unwanted stress. Not quite sure where to get started? Here are six strategies to begin with:
1. Dance It Out
When has music ever let you down? Sure, while it can pull at your emotional strings in a low moment, it can also have the opposite effect. If you have a rough time getting your day started, why not turn on some of your favorite upbeat music, get your body moving, and have yourself a mini dance party?
Even if you're at work and need to unwind for a moment – you can always head to YouTube or turn on Spotify and jam out to one of your favorite songs. You may be surprised by what a three-minute song can do for your mood.
2. Deep Breathing Exercises Help In The Moment
Need something a little more subtle to help you refocus at work or while out and about? Then practicing a deep breathing exercise could be just what you need to bring you out of a stressful moment and return you to your day.
These exercises don't have to be very elaborate either. Simply taking two minutes to sit still and take a deep breath in and out is more than enough to help most people. If you find yourself struggling, then you could always give guided breathing exercises a try. There are audio programs available online and via multiple apps that talk you through simple breathing exercises to refocus your mind.
3. Engage In Regular Exercise
Whether you're experiencing more stress than usual or you need a new coping mechanism, exercise is a great outlet. Not only does it help reduce your stress hormones, but it increases those happy hormones known as dopamine. Getting up and moving for thirty minutes a day can do wonders for your stress levels, as well as your overall physical and emotional wellbeing.
Exercise can be anything from dancing in your room, hitting the gym for some strength training, or going for a walk around the block. As long as you are getting your heart rate up a bit, you're gold!
4. Get Out And Enjoy Nature
Speaking of going for a walk, another great way to help you refocus your mind is taking some time to enjoy what nature has to offer. Whether it be a weekend hike at the local forest preserve or simply getting out on your lunch break and taking a walk around the block – fresh air does the mind and body good.
If you can schedule some time to get out either on your own or with a friend or loved one – that's great! Taking in the calm of nature can help soothe your mind and allow you a chance to just let go of everything that's been bringing you down.
5. Give Journaling A Try
When you need to refocus your day, sometimes you need to let out all the negative thoughts in your mind. If that be the case, then you may benefit greatly from having a journal.
No – journaling doesn't mean you have to have a way with words. It's simply an activity that allows you to take the negativity or stress you feel and put it elsewhere. If writing isn't your thing, then you can give an artistic journal a try and start with mindless doodling.
Journaling, no matter what the medium may be, allows you to clear your mind. Whatever you get down on that paper, you can literally take it and put it on a shelf!
6. Mindful Meditation
Quiet time to yourself is probably one of the most reliable options for refocusing your day and turning it around for the better. If you've considered breathing exercises to help you relieve a moment of stress, then you may also want to consider giving regular mindful meditation a try.
Meditation combines these deep breathing exercises with a visualization practice to help you remove yourself from any negative feelings and take you to a place of happiness, calm, and relaxation. Like breathing exercises, there are dozens of different meditation types that can be altered to meet each individual's needs. While some will choose guided meditation practices, others may enjoy listening to quiet meditation music while allowing their minds to go completely blank. Others even choose to combine meditation, deep breathing, and exercise in the form of yoga to help them relax their minds and their bodies.
Refocusing Your Day is Easier Than You Think
With everything going on in your daily life, it's okay to feel a tad bit overwhelmed or stressed out. Everybody feels these same emotions and deals with them in their own way. However, if you find yourself feeling more overwhelmed than usual or if you need a new coping technique, then why not give one of these six strategies a try? A change in routine could be just what you need to help you get more done!
