Welcome to Finding your Calm Part II !!!
In a recent Instagram post, I continued the topic of calmness. "Calming my mind, calms my body. This is a segway into the concept that calming one's body can calm the mind. Tuning into your body and encouraging it to feel calm will help calm your thoughts and feelings. Engaging in a repetitive activity of some kind, even knitting, will engage the relaxation response. There are several ways to encourage your body to relax, such as: a breathing slowly, doing yoga for a few min. of yoga, or a slow mindful walk. Walking in nature has a particular effect on our brain that improves our emotional state. Ever notice how taking a simple walk helps you to feel calmer? Walking helps reduce the stress hormones that are found in our body. Interestingly enough, EMDR's founder Francine Shapiro noticed walking helped her to feel calm and from this simple experience EMDR was born in 1987. Most of us can take a few minutes each day to engage in an activity that calms both our minds and bodies.
Research has shown that plants and flowers can improve our mood. Our brain reacts to them by secreting neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. These chemicals increase our feelings of well being. Unfortunately, if you find yourself in the unenviable position of being chained to your desk or imprisoned in your office, you may be wondering what might I do "to find my calm". All is not lost, there are still things you can do to improve your mood. Bring the calm to you. Maybe you want to be an office gardener; bring the green inside into your own space. Flowers and plants placed in our indoor space have beneficial effects on our mental health. Most offices have room for a small potted plant that can be kept on a desk or a larger version placed in a corner. There are so many varieties to choose from, from my grandmother's favorite, the African violet to the Lipstick plant. The colors of flowers also seem to impact us. You can read more about this in a scholarly article found at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8507779/ . If becoming a "container gardener is too complicated, looking out a window and focusing on the green outside can still have beneficial effects. It worked for hospital patients why not you?
Check back next month, as I continue to explore the topic of calming the self and managing your anxiety. Follow me on instagram at
