Do you feel like your mind and body are out of sync?
Like your brain is everywhere but nowhere?
Do you wish there was a way to reset your mind and body so you can return to feeling more like yourself again?
I hear you.
After one too many lockdowns, natural disasters, and many changes, it’s only natural that your brain and body crave a reset.
Short-term stress can be good in helping us meet deadlines and reach goals. But when left unchecked, chronic stress can seriously affect our overall well-being and leave us feeling stuck in a funk.
And while getting out of that funk can feel difficult – it’s not impossible.
But it does take work.
Here’s a 10-step process to reset your mind and body after going through periods of high stress ⬇️.
How to reset your mind and body:
1. Exercise for at least 1 hour daily
Schedule time to walk or work out. Walk to your café, a park, a bookstore, a friend’s house, or visit the gym. And if 1 hour seems too daunting, try to break it down into 15-minute intervals or invite someone on your adventure. Exercising is one of the best-proven ways to reduce stress hormones and boost mood-enhancing hormones necessary to reset your mind and body.
2. Unplug from things that suck your energy
The internet can be a great place, but it’s not always great on your mind when you’re constantly being exposed to notifications, ads, and garbage that isn’t important. Turn off your notifications and hit snooze on things like social media so you can focus on things that matter more – like rest and exercise.
3. Get enough sleep
One of the first things to go out of the window when we’re feeling stressed is sleep and sleep quality. Getting enough rest is vital to helping you balance hormones that influence your mood throughout the day. Try to go to bed and wake up at a reasonable time for you.
4. Focus on cultivating self-compassion
Let go of judgment. Avoid labeling things or events as bad or good. Forgive yourself for not knowing better in the moment. And always talk to yourself as if you would a good friend.
5. Focus on one thing at a time
When we’re not feeling great, our problems can feel more significant than they are because we get stuck in a loop of rumination. One way to subside those feelings is by choosing to keep things simple. Choose one thing to focus on each day (a hobby, task) and approach life one day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time.
6. Clean and declutter
The state of your external environment influences your internal environment. If your home is messy, take time to clean and declutter your space – even if it’s just one area a day. This might also motivate you to get other areas of your life decluttered.
7. Take your time with things
Most things in life aren’t time sensitive, so take your time going through them. So what if it takes you longer to get through a task? Be gentle with completing things instead of rushing through them or feeling like you must meet them all quickly.
8. Keep your sugar levels balanced
When your body has nothing to run on, and your blood sugar drops, your body goes into a state of fight and flight, making you feel anxious, jittery, and stressed. Make it a habit to eat regularly and start your day with foods high in protein and healthy fats.
9. Meet people face-to-face
Humans evolved in groups and depended on one another for survival. So when we’re isolated and our nervous system enters fight or flight mode it can signal that we need to reconnect face-to-face with others. Schedule a coffee or lunch with people who lift you up.
10. Change up your soundtrack
Stop listening to sad songs. Even if you enjoy sad songs usually. Listening to upbeat music can improve your mood by activating pleasure centers in the brain. If you want a new soundtrack for your life, create a playlist with positive and uplifting music.
Final Words
Going through periods of high stress can feel debilitating. But hopefully, this blog has left you with ten actionable steps you can take to reset your mind and body.
While the transformation to a better you won’t be instant, consistency in your journey will move you closer to achieving better mental and physical well-being. Remember, rather than trying to conquer it all, taking small, consistent steps each day is always best.
And if you need more help, it’s always okay to reach out to a professional.
