We all know what it means to feel restless, especially during this time of crisis. It’s that bottled up energy that bubbles inside looking for an exit, a release. Without relief, it just continues to simmer. The fact is, how we deal with that restless feeling is actually a learned behavior. And as with all habits, creating new behaviors and new ways of coping is not only possible, it’s vital as we grow and evolve as humans.
When we recognize that restlessness has been born out of habit, we can diffuse its energy over us. The first step to easing the energy of restlessness is to identify the feeling as soon as you can. From there, we can work to transform our restlessness into rejuvenation. Just as with any habit, this will require taking small steps in the right direction.
If you are interested in creating positive, health-supporting rejuvenation habits that reduce those restless feelings, here are five actions to consider.
Mindful movements. To be mindful is to be aware and focus your attention on the present moment. So let’s apply that to movement. The easiest example is with walking in nature. Rather than thinking about your destination or the amount of time you are going to walk, take in your surroundings. Walk in silence as you notice every single tree, bush or bird. Take in as much detail as you can. Breathe in deeply as you look around. Really feel your feet hit the ground as your body moves easily and freely. And it’s not just walking in nature. You can be mindful with any movement: as you rock in a rocking chair; when you do your morning stretches; prior to a meditation; even in the kitchen while cooking dinner. The more we stay in the present moment, the less restless we will feel and when you combine that mindfulness with movement, it’s a match made in heaven.
Get quiet. One of the best ways to let go of control—especially when we are feeling out of control—is to rest in silence. Get comfortable with the idea that in that moment of rest, there is no need to control anything. There is only one thing to think about and that is resting. Even if you only sit quietly for five minutes, that’s five minutes that you can cherish. Take time each day to lay or sit quietly and rest. Put aside any judgements you may have about resting. It will take some time getting comfortable with the idea of resting mind and body, but as you string together those luxurious moments of rest, you will create a new habit that turns restlessness into renewal.
How about a hobby. A great way to ease restlessness is to take some time to get back in touch with an old hobby or create a new one. During these times of social distancing and staying at home, we may need to get creative. Here are just some of the great home-bound hobbies to consider during this time of social distancing: reading, working on puzzles, writing, drawing, learning an instrument, cooking, scrapbooking, knitting, or carpentry. You could even consider learning a new language or taking an online class.
Get Your Ya-Yas Out. Feeling restless can signify bridled up energy, so why not take a short break to move and release some of that energy. Find a favorite song, turn up the volume and dance. Or, if dancing isn’t your thing, doing some squats, jumping jacks, pushups, situps or any exercise can quickly release frustration while also increasing your focus. And if you have children at home with you, this is great to keep in mind for them as well!
Be grateful. Gratitude is perhaps the most powerful action we can take to ease a restless mind especially if that restlessness is rooted in fear. Gratitude reins over anxiety. It’s nearly impossible for restlessness to dominate when we are feeling grateful. But it’s important to make gratitude a habit by actually practicing it on a daily basis. Whether you sit quietly and think about everything you are grateful for or you keep a gratitude journal, it’s important to work that gratitude “muscle” by exercising it consistently.
Be gentle with yourself and others during these challenging times. We will likely learn many valuable lessons from this crisis. Perhaps one of them will be how to embrace our ability to nest, rest, revive, and renew.
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