Feeling Overwhelmed? Try These 3 Easy Actions to Calm Your Mind (And Stop It From Spilling Over)

Even on the best of days, dread and overwhelm can grab hold of you.

I felt weighed down this morning. Not because of anything happening today but due to challenges on the horizon. I needed to change something.

To get out of the story of tomorrow and return to today, follow this 3 step process:

Go for a walk

I stepped outside and walked for 30 minutes. This pulled me into my body, feeling the fresh air and hearing the birds sing. Each step creating distance between my thoughts and the moment. Walking helped me clear my mind, allowing me to let go of the stories.

Meditate

I sat down and meditated for 20 minutes. Even after walking, my mind was still stirring, but it settled as my breath became my focus. This practice grounded me, giving me a different perspective on my thoughts.

Write

I grabbed a journal and wrote a page of morning pages, a stream-of-consciousness writing practice. I wrote out my thoughts, emotions, and worries without stopping to judge them. The words left on that page trapped my mental clutter and released me to choose my next step with clarity.

Repeat as necessary

Today, this process helped me get here. It allowed me to let go of what’s to come and focus on what is. I encourage you to try these steps or integrate other mindful activities that work for you.

Today is all we have. Seize it. However you can.