How to Relax

Your mind and body are powerful allies. An example of this mind-body connection is how your body responds to stress. Constant worry and stress over jobs, finances, or other problems can cause tense muscles, pain, headaches, and stomach problems. It may also lead to high blood pressure or other serious problems.

When the body feels good, the mind does, too! Any type of physical activity releases neurotransmitters and endorphins which serve to alleviate stress. Neurotransmitters are chemicals within the brain that help communicate messages throughout the body.

1. Take 5 minutes to go outside for a walk. Breathe the fresh air.
2. Give yourself more time to do things.
3. After work, get outside, take in nature, run around if you can.
4. Play.
5. Give yourself a day off.
6. At work, give yourself an hour off.
7. Work with someone who is exciting.
8. Take evenings off.

Here are eight ways that you can rid your mind of stress, allowing you to remain focused on crushing any goal you set.

1. Talk to a friend.
2. Read a great book.
3. Write down your thoughts in a journal.
4. Hit the gym hard.
5. Go for a long run.
6. Go punch for punch in the boxing ring.
7. Take some time to meditate.

Here are six ways to stop overthinking everything:

1. Notice When You’re Stuck in Your Head. Overthinking can become such a habit that you don’t even recognize when you’re doing it.
2. Keep the Focus on Problem-Solving.
3. Challenge Your Thoughts.
4. Schedule Time for Reflection.
5. Learn Mindfulness Skills.
6. Change the Channel.

Even though they can’t actually do anything to help, they think a lot and worry a lot and ruminate a lot. Because, while it’s not always helpful, thinking almost always feels helpful. We overthink things because it gives us the illusion of control and keeps our helplessness at bay.

Sometimes, people think that their overthinking somehow prevents bad things from happening. And they think if they don’t worry enough or rehash the past enough then somehow, they’ll encounter more problems. But, the research is pretty clear–overthinking is bad for you and it does nothing to prevent or solve problems.

Constant rumination could be a sign of intelligence. A penchant for worrying ― which is a common habit for overthinkers ― is correlated with more verbal intelligence, according to a paper published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.

Here are important tips and advice for learning to better “let go” of your past mistakes.

1. Accept mistakes are a part of life.
2. Forgive yourself.
3. Be aware of your feelings.
4. Write about your mistakes.
5. Focus on what’s in your control.
6. Be patient with yourself.
7. Think a kind thought about yourself.
8. Talk to someone you trust.