8 Ways to Find Zen When You are Busy
By Pretzel Kids staff
Life can get busy at times. We get it.
We all have different pressures and stressors that we have to deal with day to day. This might be a job with deadlines. It could be that you are busy with your kids and feel like you are constantly on the go running errands, picking up and dropping off, and so on.
Whatever your lifestyle is, you may feel overwhelmed with responsibilities and put yourself low on your priority list.
Yet, this shouldn’t be the case. You deserve to take care of yourself and find time for your own peace in the midst of your chaotic day. So, how do you do this? How do you find zen?
Read on to learn 8 ways to find your zen when you are busy.
1. Count to ten
One of the best ways to find inner calm and zen when life is hectic is to count to ten.
If things seem to be spiraling or you find yourself feeling particularly stressed, simply stop whatever you are doing and count to ten. You don’t need to do this out loud, just pause and mindfully count.
Use this time out to concentrate on your breath and ease your mind.
2. Close your eyes
Another thing you can do is to close your eyes. Think of this like closing the blinds for a moment. Any time you feel like you just want to shut off, even for a few seconds, closing your eyes allows you to shut off from the world, gaze inward and take stock of the situation. Doing this regularly for a few moments will help you to stabilize feelings of chaos and find inner zen and calm.
3. Take deep breaths while thinking of a mantra or positive affirmation
Breathing exercises are a great way to find your zen when you are busy.
One option is to take deep breaths while reminding yourself of a positive affirmation or mantra that you can repeat in your head. Use words that mean something to you. As a suggestion: words like “This too shall pass” can help you find some inner calm. You could even choose a different mantra each day. Be sure to breathe deeply while thinking of your mantra and repeating this over and over again in your mind.
4. Do something silly and laugh
There is nothing quite like laughing to change your mood and help you feel more positive. So, why not do something silly and laugh?!
Maybe you can dance around the room while waiting on hold on the phone and listening to bad elevator music. Or, tell a friend a joke, find something funny to read, or text a funny emoji to someone you haven’t talked to for a while.
5. Get outside
A great way to find inner calm and zen is to get outside. Step into your garden, find a green space close by, or just embrace the fresh air wherever you are. Getting outside can enable you to step away from a situation and feel more at ease during busy times.
6. Be more active
Another great option is to be more active. During the day it might not be as easy to head to a yoga class or go for a run, but whenever possible, try to stay active. This might mean parking further away from a store to get in more steps, or heading outside for a brisk walk during your lunch break at work. Also, try to use the stairs instead of the elevator whenever you can. The more active you are, the more energized you feel. And this can certainly help you find your zen.
7. Practice letting go
There is no point holding on to things that don’t make you feel good, so practice letting things go. Yoga is one great way to practice the art of letting go of what no longer serves you. Just remember to stay present so that you can move forward.
8. Don’t sweat the small stuff
Finally, try not to sweat the small stuff. I appreciate this is easier said than done, but doing so will help you focus your attention and not get caught up in the little things. This, in turn, will help you to find zen during the day.
Find Zen and roll out your yoga mat
While these tips will help you to find your zen when you are busy, we also want to remind you to roll out your yoga mat when you feel stressed or need a little bit of zen. Practicing yoga alone, in a class or with kids is a great way to destress and stay present.
