As a teenager, during my growing up years, I almost always had my head phones on. While going for long walks, breaks during study, whilst in the kitchen cooking, you would see me with my headphones and a portable cd player. Listening to music was my favourite companion. It cleared the clutter and constant chatter of thoughts. It still does. Music is one of the best and enjoyable de stressing methods ever. Music is always without words. When words are alongside with music, it is song. And words always form images in our mind. This is not always relaxing as the images impact our thoughts and our moods. Images may trigger memories- some pleasant, some sad.
Music for destress is listening to pure music, without words. Listen to the genre of music that you enjoy. Classical, jazz, instrumental, whatever suits your mood. Music has been known to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure and sooth the nervous system. Listening to music is therapeutic and relaxes the muscles in your body. It induces restful sleep too.
Meditate: This one never fails. Time tried and tested method to lower anxiety and calm you. Meditation could be chanting a mantra you believe in, visualising your goals or simply watching your breath. Doing an activity with complete awareness and being in the moment is mindful meditation. Along with destressing, Meditation always bring in clarity. your outlook towards situations takes a positive perspective. You feel a sense of belonging and a connect with nature. It is best to meditate every day in the same place, at the same time and before you know it, meditation will have silently seeped into your daily routine.
Masti: Masti is spontaneity; and spontaneity always brings in the element of fun and joy. Yes… Have fun. Do stuff that you enjoy, everything needn’t be planned. Sometimes, the best plans are the ones that are impromptu. Always have some close friends or family whom you can lean on to in times of stress. With whom you can vent and just say what’s on your mind (without filters), you offload a lot of the emotional pressure that has built up over time. Once you let off steam, there is calmness and relief. Relive or share memories of fun times together. Laugh at yourself, do stuff you haven’t done in a long time – paint, knit, read, play with sand, do a DIY, indulge in your favourite comfort foods. Anything you enjoy in the moment will help bring in the lightness and take away the heavy weight off you.
No one dies taking their weight of worries with them. So why not start sheading the baggage and live life the way it has been designed – with joy, moment to moment, one breath at a time. Then there is no feeling of rush, no stress. The key is to keep your focus on doing just the next step.
Music, Meditation and Masti – Mechanisms to de stress. Which one are you going to start today?
Manju Mohinani Patil
Life Coach & Wellness Mentor
Founder Celeste The Center
