The first step to realizing how your thoughts and emotions are influencing your physical health is to pay attention and increase awareness of yourself. Feel free to try one or all of the following strategies. You will be most effective at reconnecting with your inner self using the strategy that you resonate with the most. Below are 10 Simple Ways to Reconnect with Yourself and reduce stress!
In holistic health care, the mind and the body cannot be separated and one’s health depends on the proper communication between the mind and the body. There is an emerging scientific field called ‘Psychoneuroimmunology”, which basically investigates the relationship between your thoughts and emotions (psycho), the response of your nervous system to these emotions and the neurotransmitters released (neuro), and the effects of these neurotransmitters on the immune system (immunology).
10 ways to reconnect with yourself and Reduce Stress
More research is coming out these days to show that there is a strong relationship between mental/emotional health and physical health which suggests that when a person experiences a physical illness, their mental/emotional state should also be explored rather than ignored and viewed as an isolated and separate entity. See how these 10 ways to reconnect with your thoughts and emotions can help you.
1. Treat yourself
Take 15 minutes per day and do something nice for yourself like reading something you love, taking a brisk walk, phoning an old friend, or soaking in a warm bath.
2. Commune with nature
Sit with your flowers, go for a walk, go to the beach, walk barefoot on the grass, sit under a tree or smile at the sun. Being present with nature and listening to the natural sounds of the world can help us feel grounded and put us in touch with our inner selves.
3. Choose an activity
Choose an activity like pilates, yoga, meditation, guided imagery, reiki, acupuncture or massage therapy to help manage stress and unwind from the business of life.
4. Physical activities
Aim to participate in physical activity 30 minutes, 5 times per week. Exercise helps prevent many diseases, improves anxiety and depression and is a useful tool for relieving stress.
5. Journal, start a blog or phone a friend
Expressing your emotions on a regular basis will assist you in the process of working through them and letting them go. Having social support and someone you can bounce your ideas off of or work through your conflicts with is valuable to a sense of well-being.
6.Set short and long term goals for your personal aspiration
These can range from taking a cooking class, to changing careers or planning a vacation. Making your personal aspirations a priority is part of balancing the parts of your life. Breaking down your long term goals into smaller steps can make things more manageable and easier to achieve.
7. Positive Energy
At work or at home, pair up with people you like to be around and can exchange positive energy with. You can also exchange positive energy with your pets.
8.Take control of your workplace,
Don’t let your workplace control you. For example, make your breaks/lunch time a priority and set aside your work. Schedule specific times to respond to e-mails and phone messages. Delegate as much work as you can, you do not have to do everything.
9. Laugh
Don’t be so hard on yourself and find humour in your life. Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself or enjoy a good romantic comedy.
10. Turn perceived `wasted` time into enjoyable time
For example, during the commute to work read a book/magazine you love, listen to an e-book or your favourite music, close your eyes and meditate if you ride the subway. Small acts you enjoy can be incorporated into the mundane things of life such as cooking and cleaning the bathroom. You can turn ordinary moments into extraordinary inspiring ones.
Doing any of the above will leave you feeling relaxed, grounded with a clear mind to help you get through your busy day. Enjoy!
Dr. Ellen Simone
I totally need to do all these things! Great article!
These are really great tips and suggestions — a little goes a long way, eh?
We often forget about ourselves, thanks for the input
So many of those tips listed I have tried off and on for years. The onny one I have maintained (since age 5!) was being a book hog and reading for relaxation every chance I get. The journals and yoga were experimented with and I would actually like to get back into them, I just find motivation lacking. Maybe this year?
Positive energy is very important, I believe happy people give this to others as well by smiling and being kind
Great article!These are really great tips and suggestions.