For me, as for a lot of us,  relaxing starts upstairs—in the mind. Stress loves to hang around as endless thoughts and worries. That’s why stuff like meditation, journaling, or just staring out the window for a few minutes can help hit reset. I personally find that letting go of mental clutter—turning down the noise and making space for quiet—is how I buffer myself from the craziness outside. To be relaxed, for me, means coming inside my gates, closing out the world and feeling the weight of what happens outside melting away.

Nature, the sound of the birds, the sound of the breeze as it wafts through the moss draped trees, watching the squirrels scamper about, the lizards sunning on my porch it brings to mind the phrase, be still my heart… I can feel the tension as it dissipates from my mind when I am here among the treasure of nature.

Of course, you can’t forget the body. Stress shows up as tight shoulders or a clenched jaw, so moving a little can make a big difference. Yoga, walking, even a fun dance break, it’s all good. Meditation too, where I follow the sound of a voice telling me to relax the different parts of the body, it is a very relaxing motion for me. I have an app for that, Headspace. I also tell Alexa at night as I lay in bed and the stress creeps in from the day or after along night at work among people, Alexa, play summer night sounds… and I then find my mind filled with the sounds of the night outside. The crickets and bugs and frogs serenading the moon. It is as I say a primal relaxing sound… God made and gifted.

We all have to accept the notion that it is our everyday choices, our lifestyle that allows stress to build and we need to make choices that help us to relieve it, Stress can be debilitating, cause us to live in a way that is detrimental to our health and our happiness.

Things like sleep, good food, and even how much time you spend doomscrolling on social media can all help or hurt your ability to relax. Creative projects such as writing, painting, crafting, cooking, gardening are all great ways to shift attention away from stress. And don’t forget about people, they can be just the medicine needed at times for some of us.  People, laughter, and good company are underrated stressbusters.

So, in a world that’s overflowing with stuff both physical and mental, finding your own way to relax is super important. Listen to your mind and body, tweak your habits, and remember: your path to peace is yours alone, and you deserve every bit of calm you find. As for ME, I have sat and watched sunrise, read thoughts from many, read my devotion and prayed, and have written this. I am fixing to go walkabout and then do some mowing… For me riding the mower relaxes me. I always wondered why my husband loved it, I know now… It is a Zen world on the mower…
I hope you find your peace today… Your calm