3 Ways to Feel Better Right Now – That Aren’t Meditation
Meditation isn’t the only way to find peace & serenity.
You can try these three easy methods almost anywhere and feel the positive effect in under 5 minutes.
Breathe
This is the simplest advice I can give you and it’s honestly the thing you know how to do best – you’ve been doing it all your life. For real though, the breath is your most powerful tool. It’s the life hack you’ve been ignoring for too long. There are tons of breathing exercises you can do, but let’s keep it simple. Try this: Inhale into the nose deeply for 4 counts, filling the chest, rib cage, and the entire belly. Hold the inhale for 4 counts. Exhale deeply out of the mouth for 4 even counts. Do this for at least 5 cycles. Then it’s up to you to extend this practice with longer counts, more cycles, or whatever feels best for you.
2. Shake
Literally, shake your body. Vibrate, jump, kick your feet, jiggle everything. This super fun and healing exercise is effective because your physical body and energetic body are intrinsically connected. The physical body holds onto pent up energy, often resulting in chronic pains and stagnation in the body. Animals often shake to release tension and resettle, and naturally humans are programmed to do it, too. This is like the opposite of meditation with a very similar effect, and likely in less time. If shaking feels weird at first, put on your favorite tunes and shake to the music. This way it feels more like dancing (which it kind of is!). Try this for 2 minutes to start, and extend as you’d like. Let go of your inhibitions and find what feels good. You really can’t do this practice wrong.
3. Journal
Grab paper and a pen, and tell it to the page. You don’t need any rules for journaling, but if you are wondering how to start, try this: challenge yourself to write continuously until you fill at least one full page. Maybe top that page with a question such as, “how do I feel right now, and why?” and from there, rage on the page. Often, the answers you seek will come from within once you open the doors for this awareness to enter. Journaling is a personal favorite of mine, and a regular journaling practice has worked wonders for my mental health and spiritual practice. If you are in need of release, consider burning the page after you’ve written to let go of what is no longer serving you (just be safe doing this!).
***Bonus*** Call a friend or loved one to talk. Sometimes, what we can’t immediately work through ourselves requires a trusted source to help us navigate the process. Seeing a therapist is also a way to seek this type of support and can be a safe space for healing on a deeper level.
Of course, if you are experiencing serious anxiety, depression or living with any other mental illness, please seek a professional for assistance.
I wish you the best on your ongoing transformative journey.
