It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.

Exercises to Calm Your Thoughts

By: Corie Mustoe, Certified Health and Life Coach

We often hear about exercises for a healthy body, walking 2-miles, practicing yoga, stretching each morning and swimming. Each of these exercises are touted as “good for the body” which is true, but what exercises can we do that provide benefits to and calm our thoughts and mind?

Are you someone who has a “busy” mind? Do your thoughts often race causing worry to set in? Do you find yourself having repetitive thoughts that no matter what you do, these thoughts linger on? Even when we realize that our repetitive thoughts and worries are pointless and unnecessary, it’s not so easy to turn them off. But it’s important that we try to calm our minds. Worry can release stress hormones that trigger health issues, such as digestive and cardiac disorders, and worry can lead to depression.

So, what can you do when worry sets in, repetitive thoughts control our days or we are feeling a low mood come over us? Start with gratitude. In this moment, write down 4-5 things you are grateful for. These can be as simple as the morning sunshine or the purr of your beloved cat or the soft fur of your dog. The things you are grateful for can be simple things in life. Bring your mind to this moment. Speak each one out loud and smile, knowing you are truly grateful. Being grateful allows us to be in the moment and these practices allow us to feel joy! Appreciating all you have in this moment can help you to realize the pointlessness of worry, realizing your worries may never be. Don’t exert your energy on worry!

It is no secret, bad things will sometimes happen in life. Worrying about them won’t stop them or better prepare you for them, it will simply exhaust you. Worry can feel like a responsibility, but it is in your best interest to release worry and enjoy the moment. It’s important to think of happy things and positive thoughts. You can simply place sticky notes around your home or apartment with thoughts written on them that make you happy. Read these each day and change these thoughts often. The sky's the limit…write as many happy thoughts as you choose! Surrounding yourself with positive people also helps…worry can be contagious.

So what are some other things you can do and habits you can create to regularly calm your thoughts? For starters, soaking in a warm bath with some of your favorite bath salts does wonders for your mind. So simply relax and enjoy your quiet bath time. Make sure you are not always busy, focus on just being you and not having a long to-do list helps. Listen to soothing music that allows happy memories or promotes a sense of calm in your heart and mind. Practice mindful meditation. The goal of mindful meditation is to focus your attention on things that are happening right now in the present moment. Can you hear birds chirping? Can you hear cars outside or a dog barking? Do you smell the candle burning? What perfume or cologne are you wearing? Bring your attention to these “now” sounds, sights and smells. This helps calm your mind and removes worry from our day.

Journaling is a wonderful way to keep our mind free of worry and clutter. Write about your dreams and desires and what makes you happy. What are you proud of in life? Or, begin writing that book you have always wanted to write. You are never too old to begin a new project. Creativity is one of the best ways to calm our thoughts and clear our mind. Sharing concerns with others can help. Talk to a trusted friend or relative or seek help from a professional therapist. The simple act of opening up and talking to someone can sometimes be all you need to calm your thoughts.

And, one more, yes, good old exercise helps with creating a happy and calm mind. Grab a friend or neighbor and take a 30 minute walk. You will be amazed at how you feel and how happy your thoughts will be and how calm your mind feels. ###

Corie Mustoe is a Certified Health and Life Coach and is the founder of CoachCorie.com. She coaches individuals and small groups to life changing goodness by committing to a healthy lifestyle, habit change, mindfulness and the power of gratitude by setting attainable goals. Corie has been part of the Kansas City Healthcare and Wellness community for over 20 years. She can be contacted at:

corie@CoachCorie.com - email

www.CoachCorie.com -website

913-963-7474 - text message