Oftentimes, we can become bogged down. Sometimes we worry about what people think of us. For people struggling with addiction, the fear of stigma can often be what keeps them from seeking treatment or telling others of their struggles while in a treatment program.
Worrying about what people think can also cause us to have other stresses in our lives. The mental health stresses that bog us down need to be released, but sometimes it is hard to find a safe and peaceful space to meditate and relax.
To do that, you will need to find a way to get away from all the pressures that affect you and cause you stress, anxiety, and other negative feelings. You need to shut off the world’s noise machine and hear only your inner dialogue. Only then can you reconnect with yourself and hear yourself think.
Learning How to Let Go and Relax
Feeling stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on our mental and physical states. Strong negative emotions can leave us feeling mentally and physically exhausted. It can be hard to keep a good life balance when we constantly feel tired.
Letting go of stress takes a concerted effort. There are several techniques that can help you relax, like progressive muscle relaxation, breathwork, and peaceful prayer – but relaxing your muscles is only part of the equation.
In addition to feeling relaxed, you must also learn to clear your mind. To do that, you will need to find a place where you can be at peace. Here are some tips for finding a sacred, quiet space to meditate and mindfully connect with yourself and find reflection.
Finding Spaces That Bring You Peace
How you approach life is just as important as having a space of peace and relaxation. Before you start to look for a mindfulness space, try to do these things:
- Sit and reflect. Think about your emotions and how they have affected you today. Remember that the way you feel is valid. Let your emotions validate your spirit and bring you peace.
- Develop good coping habits. When you feel a strong emotion, stop and think: is the way I am going to express this emotion going to positively or negatively affect me and those around me? Seek positive ways to address emotions, like speaking up in the moment.
- Try expressing negative emotions by speaking up in an understanding way when something bothers you. Begin with the assumption that other people do not mean to cause you harm. If it is a misunderstanding, it can easily be rectified.
- Keep a journal and record your feelings as they happen. Carry your journal with you and record these emotions as soon as you can. Don’t forget to record the situation and why you felt this way. Later, as you meditate, read this journal and reflect on how you felt, both validating your feelings and thinking about how you can better express your needs in the future.
Feelings of judgment can be a powerful motivation detractor. Finding a space of tranquility and acceptance can greatly help you during times of mindfulness and relaxation. Here are some tips for setting up spaces that promote wellness for your mind:
- Find a space that is both peaceful and where you feel comfortable.
- You do not always need to find the same space. Sometimes, it may be when you are home alone in your office or a room. Other times, it may be a bench in a quiet park when no one is around. Go where you need to go.
- Let yourself feel valid. Seek spaces that are quiet because you deserve a quiet space. Seek places that are safe because you deserve to be safe. Feeling valid will help you to engage in meditative and mindfulness techniques.
Decluttering Your Space, Decluttering Your Brain
Here’s a tip that can improve your mental health and improve your quality of life: declutter your space. When we live in a life of clutter, our brain can become muddled and it can be hard for us to think, let alone find a peaceful space to meditate and relax.
Research shows that having extra clutter lying around can actually make us more stressed. If our physical space is full, no wonder we have trouble finding a peaceful space to think!
The space we exist in is often a reflection of our mental state. When we let clutter build, it may be because we have become bogged down with the stresses and anxieties caused by our personal situations.
When we declutter our physical spaces, we are choosing to declutter our mental state, as well. By cleaning and organizing our desks, rooms, or even our cars or outdoor spaces, we are deciding to make positive changes and not be ruled by our clutter. It is that simple.
It’s Easy Being Green
One more tip for finding a safe and relaxing space is to go green. Nature can be a great place to find simplicity and tranquility. In fact, studies have shown that being in nature vastly improves our outlook and mental health.
Our world is fast-paced and complex. It is always coming at us, and for many of us, the concrete jungle is the only world we know. However, there is a living world out there, and finding it can rejuvenate our spirits.
So whenever you feel like you are trapped within four walls, make a plan to find a place in the open air and sunlight where you can reconnect with the world. You might be surprised how good it can make you feel.
When you were in treatment, finding a safe and quiet space to reflect may have been relatively easy. Your inpatient program was a controlled environment, free from the stresses of the world. As an alumnus, you are back in the chaos of life, and finding a meditative space may not be as easy. You might be unsure of where to go. You may not even know how to begin locating a place where you can find peace and solitude for your mental and physical health. At Renaissance Ranch, we are here to help. As an alumnus, you will always be a part of our family. We can help you with individualized and group therapy where you can express your concerns and find solutions to your questions. Call Renaissance Ranch today at (801) 308-8898 and speak to one of our caring representatives.