Bust Your Tension Habits:

By Carole Fogarty

Editor of Rejuvenation Lounge and facilitator of Women’s Rejuvenation Retreats:

It’s Time To Swap Your Tension Habits For Calming Habits:

Breath in “I am calm” breath out “I smile” by Thich Nhat Hanh Zen Buddhist

It’s the little things that can drive you crazy. Before you know it your shoulders are tight and bunched up around your head, you’re frowning (more wrinkles), tense and probably cursing at the closest thing next to you. Why? Something simple happened, like, you couldn’t find your car keys or you ran out of milk.

Photo by Dave-F

Start by swapping one “tension habit” for a “calming habit”

Do yourself a favor and lose any habits that invite stress and tension into your life. Start by switching one “tension habit” for a “calming habit”

So, if losing your keys has become a stressful habit for you, simply find a way to create a new “calming habit” whereby you never lose your car keys again.

I’ve listed below 10 of my tension habits (from the past) all of which have been successfully switched to calming habits – well most of the time.

My Ten Calming Habits:

1: Petrol in car: Always have the car fuel level at least above 1/4 full. Whilst I’m not totally cured of this one I’m doing my best to fill up when I don’t need too. This saves the rushed dash to the petrol station and the long queues which appear when you are in a hurry.

2: Always leave car keys in the same place: This one I have mastered. My car keys now have a home and I can find them in an instant. This is a very calming habit to master.

3: Check cell phone battery levels. Each night before going to bed I always check my phones battery levels. Saves the hassle of being without a mobile phone the next day or worse still having to wait until its charged.

4: Plenty of toilet paper and I mean plenty: We always used to run out of toilet paper. In fact I’m sure we had a secret toilet paper monster that ate the rolls in the middle of the night. My new calming mantra is, if in doubt, buy toilet paper. I always buy twice as much as I need and now we never run out. Thank goodness for that.

5: Secret stash of chocolate: I don’t really have a sweet tooth but occasionally I feel like a piece of organic dark chocolate. And when I need some chocolate, I really need some chocolate. Of course the organic food store is never open when you have a chocolate craving. Its a good feeling knowing there’s always a secret stash hidden just for me.

6: Meal to go in the freezer: Whilst I prefer fresh and organic there are some nights when I’m just too tired to cook. A last minute meal in the freezer (usually home made pizza all ready to go) takes away the stress of cooking when I’m exhausted or don’t have time. The added bonus is, it stops me jumping in the car (when its the last thing I feel like doing) and buying yucky take away.

7: Shop with a list: I thought shopping lists were only for Grandma’s. Wrong. Getting home from a grocery shop and not getting what I needed happened to me often. In the past, I would have gone to the shop for a couple of things, forget to buy what I needed and spend $50.00. Now, I always shop with a list. Shopping lists are for busy mothers with children that distract you when shopping.

8: Breathe: Remember to breathe and calm yourself down. Checking in with my breath has saved my sanity many times. It allows me to step back, take a breather and clear my thoughts. Its reminds me to think about my bodily needs such as move, stretch, eat or drink. It also take any excess energy out of my head and back into my body. When I slow my breathing down I stop rushing, my mind calms down and I’m likely to be more creative and productive. Your breath should reach all the way down to your belly making it expand and contract gently. Forgetting to breathe holds tension in your body.

9: Get up one hour early than the kids: I love to start my mornings in peace and quiet. It offers me space to gather my thoughts. I indulge in a few early morning rituals ( just for me ) and get a head start on the day ahead. Without a doubt, it is worth the effort of getting up earlier, as my day flows so much more smoothly. This is one of my favorite calming habits of all time. It simply works for me.

10. Stop for meals: In the past I’d skip morning/afternoon tea or even lunch if I was on a creative roll. However I’d pay the price for it later in the day. Missing morning or afternoon tea or worse still lunch sends my body into a spin. My thinking gets sloppy, I lose focus, feel scattered and fatigued. There is nothing more important to me, than eating and drinking well throughout my day. This calming habit is not optional for me, its essential.

Now its Your Turn:

Write your list of 10 simple calming habits that will bust your “tension habits” once and for all and invite more calm into your life. If you have an annoying tension habit that you are having trouble busting, let me know and I’ll see if I can help you.

I’m thrilled you took the time to read my article, Carole. You are very welcome to come back and visit my blog the Rejuvenation Lounge anytime or grab daily relaxation and rejuvenation tips from me over at twitter.