It’s said that happiness is found in the journey, not the destination, and there’s no day better suited for this maxim than Monday. Because when you reflect on the brightest moments of your typical Monday, it’s the ordinary stuff—the first sip of coffee, a good playlist, family downtime, dinner and a movie, the dog—that truly lifts your spirits and brings you the most joy.
Change your focus to recall the positive this Monday for unexpected results. Savoring and focusing your thoughts on positive events is a way to shift to the positive and deflect stress.
As the silent chill of winter finally gives way to the mild melodies of spring, it’s time to get reacquainted with nature. And thanks to daylight savings, we now have an extra hour of sunshine for outdoor activities. The crisp fresh air, the smell of the foliage, the warmth of the sun, all these elements can heal and rejuvenate.
This Monday, destress by exploring a garden or park near you! It can benefit your mind, body, and soul. Take a stroll through a park on your way to work, enjoy your lunch hour in a garden near your office, or sit on a lawn for an outdoor evening concert or movie
There are times in life when powerful emotions can overwhelm you. But being swept away has its consequences. Uncontrolled anger can impact your relationships and even your health. You might feel your heart racing or tension in your body. Research suggests that anger may even be a risk factor for coronary heart disease.
So, how do you bring intense emotions under control? Acknowledge your feelings and restore calm with the simple ideas found here.
This Monday, look to encourage the children in your life to embrace the concept of mindfulness. Although the idea may seem abstract at first, DeStress Monday has developed a number of tools that can help children, adolescents, and teenagers get a better grasp of how mindfulness practices should make them feel.
Behavior change is hard, but there are some simple strategies that can make adopting a healthy lifestyle easier. Reduce stress and improve your sleep through exercise, meditation, and mindfulness. Deep breathing and belly breathing are two techniques to help deal with stress. Try to think positive – surround yourself with positive people, find humor, be kind to yourself, and identify areas that need to change. See a mental health professional if you are feeling worried, anxious, or overwhelmed most of the time and these feelings are interfering with your normal life.
If you need to reduce stress at your desk, look no further than a good stretch! Throughout a typical day, it’s normal for tension to build up in our shoulders, neck, and back. Doing a few simple yoga moves can help relieve that tension – and you can do it while seated in a chair! This Monday, spend a few moments stretching your muscles and letting stress go!
The benefits of exercise as stress relief are well-documented, but it’s understandable if you can’t always get up and take a walk during a stressful day. Fortunately, you can still engage in some light physical activity without having to leave your work station or desk. Any movement is good for your body as well as your mind; it will get your blood flowing and direct more oxygen to your brain.
Autumn is the most soothing of the seasons: The lush of greens of springtime have given way to regal shades of auburn, gold, and crimson; the air is crispy and chill; the swimsuits and warm-weather tops have been stored away make room for light jackets and worn-out jeans.
The changing of the seasons provides an opportunity to reflect and recognize the changes occurring in our own lives. Embracing this time of year as a period of introspection and mindfulness can uplift the spirit and prepare us for the winter months ahead.
The practice of cultivating empathy — or stepping into somebody else’s shoes — enables us to become more attuned to other people’s feelings and perspectives, especially when their points of view are different from ours. This not only helps others to feel supported, it ultimately benefits our own lives by strengthening our relationships and inspiring collaboration, whether at home or at work.
It’s no secret that deep breathing exercises are a great way to reduce stress. Taking a few moments to concentrate and breathe deeply calms not just the mind but the body. There are several ways to practice deep breathing but it’s always a good idea to try something new. This Monday, try square breathing when you need to take a moment to settle down.
Square breathing is a great way to refocus your mind if you’ve been having a hectic day. Multitasking and busy schedules can be demanding on your brain and leave you in a fog. It’s important to take a brief break and clear your head before diving back into business as usual. You don’t need a visual aid but it can give you something on which to concentrate while you learn a new way to deep breathe.
Here is the practice:
Inhale for a count of 4
Hold for a count of 4
Exhale for a count of 4
Hold for a count of 4
While breathing and counting, imagine a square. If you’re using a visual aid, follow the four sides of a square. Each step is a corner of the square; as you count to four, move along one side of the square at a time. You can use anything square-shaped around you – a post-it note, a mouse pad, etc. Another way to visualize while square breathing is to imagine you’re running bases in a baseball diamond in slow motion.
Inhale and run to first base… two… three… four…
Hold and run to second base… two… three… four…
To start out, we recommend using GIFs that can provide you with a point of concentration. After a few sessions of square breathing, you’ll be able to visualize the square in your mind while breathing deeply.
This Monday is a great day to be square and destress!
From our friends at the Monday Campaigns:
Gael Doyle
Greg White
jones9095
saraeholmes
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