Still having problems finding stillness? There are many ways to soothe the mind and body. Here’s a few you might want to try as you perfect your mindfulness techniques:
- Listen to chants or chanting yourself. Most cultures, and all great world religions, utilize chants in one form or another. Wikipedia offers a good review of the various chanting styles for you to explore. Here is the link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chant
- Listen to a metronome or analog clock
- Listen to music you find relaxing
- Sing or hum
- Create your own music
- Listen to waves, rain or other repetitive nature sounds
- Rock your body or walking rhythmically
- Engage in repetitive exercises or movements
- Engage in breathing exercises
- Progressively relax the muscles throughout your body
- Take a bath
- Walk in nature
- Garden
- Smell a pleasant scent
- Create and repeat a personal mantra
- Journal, sketch or draw
- Knead clay or dough
- Paint
Remember, your creative exercises don’t have to be shared with others or put on display. They’re meant to assist you to be calmer, not to impress others, so don’t worry about “making” something. Instead, focus on the act itself. If you watch children playing by themselves in a yard, they’re often contentedly humming or singing and creating things, such as mud pies, with their hands. That’s your goal. You were able to do it as a child. It’s time to learn to tap back into that state.