As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn’t get over how relaxed I felt. Especially since earlier that day, I was suffering from anxiety and looking for a way to calm the chaos.  

3 Simple Ways to Calm the Chaos 

In my search to calm my mind, I thought making tea the “old fashioned” way would be a simple way to slow down and be more present.

Filling the pot with water, setting it on the stove, turning on the gas burner and waiting for the steam, then pouring the hot water over my tea bag.

Stirring in milk and sugar…

Each step of the process awakened my senses and welcomed me back into quiet. The kind of quiet I crave as a lifestyle.

The simple act of having tea invited me to sit, feel, sip, savor; to slow down.

After tea, I practiced Yoga, stretching all those tense, tight muscles in my neck, shoulders, chest and back. It was almost as good as getting a massage. I felt so relaxed afterward that my plan to run errands that day gave way to taking care of myself, listening to my body, and getting rest.

And it was pure Quietude.

Quietude: a state of stillness, calmness and quiet in a person or place.

I believe many of us struggle to reconcile everyday chaos with a simpler, calmer lifestyle. So, besides sipping a warm drink and practicing yoga, here are a few more ways to calm the chaos. 

1. Pay attention to your body. The nap and yoga exercises were so restorative. Our bodies are wonderful communicators, letting us know when we’re hungry, tired, stressed or overworked, so take heed and rest, eat, play and relax. It’s just as important to schedule these activities (like afternoon tea) into your day as it is appointments, to-do’s and events. If you’re looking for some good beginner Yoga routines, I’ve created a playlist of my favorite YouTube instructors for you to check out.
2. Write it down. Writing down your thoughts, planning your day, using trackers and keeping lists and memos is a great practice for clearing, and therefore quieting, your mind. Watch my process and resources on Facebook Live.
3. Declutter your environment. Clutter contributes to mental chaos and is a stressor we can easily control. I have proven that fact in my life over and over again. Actually, I’m in the final stages of reorganizing my master closet and as I caught a glimpse of my closet earlier today, I realized two things:

• • Seeing inside my closet used to be a source of displeasure.
  • Seeing my newly organized closet is as source of contentment and satisfaction.

For even more calm, check out:

How to Start a Self-Care Routine

The Art of Mindful Living