Exercises To Calm Your Anxious Thoughts.

Simple Repetitive Motions and Breathing Calm Our Nervous System.

Rhythmic motion calms our nervous system. It helps us move out of our heads and into our bodies.

Concentrating on our breathing helps to reset our nervous system. When stressed or anxious, we breathe more quickly and take shallow breaths—focus on our breathing by slowly and deeply inhaling and exhaling calms us.

Some of the most natural ways to do this are simple exercises like walking, swimming and gardening. Getting out in nature brings us in touch with God’s creation. It lifts our thoughts out of the artificial world and into the beauty and wonder of His creation. Observing the rise and fall of waves, feeling the breeze on our faces, and smelling the forest, flowers and rain all move us into a calming space. You can notice the sunshine and shadows, animals and birds, see people and reconnect with your body, others and God.

We are not machines but people. Our human experience needs to be holistic. Our bodies matter, and we can help ourselves experience joy, well-being and calm by making time to slow down, to notice and attend to what our bodies need and are saying to us.

We should not ignore our simple needs like eating when we are hungry, sleeping when we are tired, having fun when we need a lift and connecting when we are lonely.

Remember to honour the body God gifted you. You will be able to love, serve and live better. Seek God’s peace and enjoy the gift of a calm day.