We all face challenges in our lives and whenever we do, the first organ to feel the heat is the brain, needless to say, it passes on the stress to the other organs; but then it is mildly easy to put your stress to rest, mildly because it is not so simple, simply because we have trained our minds to hardly give any importance to the simple things that can have a profound effect on our health and our state of mind. Challenges come and go, but then we need to be able to retain our space.

Sharing with you a few of the ideas I know have helped many regain a sense of calm and comfort.

1. Look for a good listener:- Talking to someone about what’s in your mind helps you feel good, but the key is to choose the right person to talk to, because here you do not need advice or theories, you just need someone who listens and does a good job at that. Whenever you have things that are taking up too much of brain space and causing much stress just talking to someone will help you feel relaxed. Most often you end up finding solutions to the problems yourself, the bottom line being, a good listener makes you feel light-hearted.

2. A smiling start to the day:- Sleep may elude you, sometimes you may feel miserable when you wake up, but no matter how you feel, as soon as you are up, smile and get up confidently. This is perhaps the best thing you can do to face the challenges of the day and also to counter the misery you are carrying in your mind. This simple gesture of smiling and waking up takes you away from all the distress for the moment and reminds you that there are many things in your life to smile about.

3. Do something for others:- Not so that YOU feel good, but do something so that someone else feels good and in the process YOU too feel ‘Great’. An act of service is the best way to forget about your own worries and realise that even in the midst of your problem you can bring some comfort to someone else. There will always be someone who can benefit from your help, find that person and lend a helping hand.

4. Concentrate:- Out of your busy schedule you will always be able to spare about ten to fifteen minutes where you just sit, close your eyes and concentrate on nothing but your breathing. Imagine how the oxygen is reaching your lungs and getting transported to every single cell of your body, from head to toe. You will not need any hints, you will realise that you are feeling good the first time itself and when you keep doing it everyday the effects will be profound. (tip-when you can’t sleep at night , try concentrating on your breathing, you will slowly fade in to deep sleep).

5. Sound of music:- Understanding musical notes may not be for all, but enjoying the symphony is definitely for all. Keep ready a playlist you can listen to whenever you feel blue. Alternately there are millions of beautiful soothing music to be selected from the internet categorised according to the intended effects, for relaxation, for sleep, to study, to focus. Listening to some beautiful relaxing music will give your mind and heart a perfect reason to feel positive about everything. Moreover make it a habit to enjoy the melodies for atleast fifteen minutes a day and you will feel much happier and relaxed.

Follow the above with the intention of gaining something positive am sure that’s what you will get. Follow it and feel good.

Be Good, Stay Happy!