Finding your quiet place is an important life skill activity. It’s hard to believe that the state of being quiet is one of the identified protocols for stress management.
Taking a moment to just slow down and do nothing may seem like a waste of time. We’ve been programmed for goal setting and making every second count. You feel it is a must to be busy every moment, crossing items off our list. You think spending time in a quiet place is such a waste of precious time. Every phone chirps with a new text, tweet or email must be checked and replied to instantly. In today’s world, an ignored communication can trigger immediate anxiety. The dread of missing something important is too stressful. Multi-tasking is he expectation, making life so busy that we can’t fully concentrate on anything.
What is your cost of being “busy busy?”
This constant state of being “busy busy” keeps our brain in a state of overdrive. We become so overstimulated that we spend our days stressed and frazzled. Then we wonder why we have trouble falling asleep at night.
Our brain wasn’t built to exist in a constant state of crisis, and it can’t work at its best in this crazy busy state. It is vital to make time for our quiet place to take a breath, slow down, and remember the importance of this time out activity.
To successfully navigate the stormy seas of stress, it is best to create plans in calm waters. The importance of slowing down in your quiet place to reduce the chatter of thoughts is often overlooked. Who has time to meditate when there’s so much to be done? But actually, taking time to slow down can help you accomplish more. When your brain is in overdrive, it’s almost impossible to process information, develop effective plans and then put them into action. It’s hard to see what’s important when your mind is jumping from on thought to another.When we are inundated by too many things vying for our attention, we can easily feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed.
But spending time in your quiet place to slow down, to breathe, and be unplugged from technology can make all the difference. Slow down and you can think more clearly and see the problem and solution. Taking time spend in your quiet place retreat allows your creativity and intuition to come to the surface. Paradoxically, when you stop thinking about work for a while, it allows you to increase your overall productivity.
Identify your Powerhouse for Productivity
Find a quiet place that suits you. That doesn’t mean you have to sit still and meditate. Many people are amazed at how calm they feel after taking a walk. Being outside and mindful of nature can reduce tension and anxiety. Even if you live in a city, there are little parks, atriums and benches tucked away in odd corners where you can breathe outside air and feel the sun. Listening to the sounds of birds, ocean waves, rain, or even white noise can send you to a tranquil place. If you can’t get outside, or you prefer the indoors, you may find that listening to recorded sounds of nature is just as peaceful. You may find your favorite inner quiet place by sitting in a comfy chair with a scented candle, listening to your favorite music.
So, find your quiet place. Try to still your thoughts. Concentrate on nothing but your breath as you let your tensions go, or lose yourself in music, peaceful sounds or movement. When you feel that you are relaxed and your mind is calm, then you can allow yourself to see the best paths available to address your challenges and reach your goals. If you find yourself stuck in a frenzy of thoughts and emotions, you might try writing in a journal. Many people find that the act of writing down their thoughts both clarifies their thinking and calms them. In the journal example book,“The Way of the Journal,” author Adams describes journal writing as a reflective therapeutic tool to minimize overstimulation and overwhelming feelings.
Finding your quiet place can look very different for different people. Walking, listening to relaxing music, writing, being creative or using mindful meditation can all allow you to reach that inner calm place. And when you can still your mind, you will set free its power to optimize your problem solving strategies.
Please note: This blog is for information and educational purposes only. It is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice. If you need treatment advice for medical illness, please seek the help from your mental health provider.