Learning how to move through life, relationships and situations starts with keeping yourself grounded, balanced and centered. Easy to say, but how do you do this? As we approach a time of year when life seems to speed up or make us feel squeezed in, it’s a good time to be reminded of some simple daily, weekly practices that can remind you to stay focused, balanced and centered. Simply stated, that means make peace for yourself in everything that you do.

If what you are doing causes you anxiety, stress, constant worry, sudden physical ailments or any other “out of the blue” discomfort, that’s a good indication it’s time to press the pause button on your life and do something to stop the flow of the emotional and physical “pile up” that can lead to even more of the unwanted aforementioned.

Here are some of my favorites to help keep you sane:

PAUSE. It’s okay to press the imaginary pause button in any situation. Stop talking. Stop thinking. Step away for a moment. Start breathing instead. This is especially helpful when you’re in a heated discussion, making an important buying decision, or trying to please someone else. Pause. It will all be there—if you choose it to be—once you’ve had a minute or more to gather your thoughts and be able to tune in to what your intuition is telling you.

NATURE. Get out in nature whenever you can. Air, grass, breeze, nature sounds, water, sun. Feel it. Be a part of it. Notice it. Take a walk. You can certainly go on a long hike and enjoy deeper parts of nature, but you can also have increased health benefits just by walking for 10–20 minutes in your neighborhood.

TAKE A BATH. You may not be a “bath person,” but the benefits are plenty enough to at least consider doing it on occasion. 15—20 minutes in warm water with a nice bath bomb or epsom salts helps improve blood flow. Stimulate improved breath flow by taking the time to slow down, which will improve oxygen flow. Peaceful reflection calms the inner voice, which calms the mind. Warm water soothes muscle tension, soreness and helps to restore muscle tissue. Water is a great source of hydration for the skin, especially when done with a body oil. It’s also a mood enhancer or changer. It will improve the quality of your sleep and boost your immune system.

COLD SHOWER. In the opposite manner from the warm bath, it is invigorating to take a cold shower or at least finish your shower with a cold rinse. This practice refreshes your mind, also stimulates the nervous system and acts as a reset for your body. You can deepen this practice by taking a cold plunge in a tub or visiting a cryotherapy establishment. The idea is to submerge your body in cold for a limited time frame. Very refreshing.

CREATE A NEW RITUAL. Intentionally do something different. Out of your ordinary. Short on ideas? They are all around you. You can even do something you normally do, but in a different way. One example is walking. Maybe you walk your neighborhood or you walk on the treadmill. Find a new path to walk. Explore. Discover. A couple other ideas can be:

– Sunrise/Sunset: Pick a location to watch the sun rise or set. Arrive early, before the appointed time. Do this with yourself or a friend. Pack some tea or coffee, or your favorite breakfast snack (or choose a new one). For the sunset, bring some soup and bread charcuterie snacks with wine or another favorite beverage. Nestle in and then take pictures. Take a time-lapse photo.

– Scenic View: On a clear day take a blanket, binoculars and hors d’oeuvres to the top of a hill, mountain, building or any place you will have a panoramic view on a clear day. Meet a friend or fly solo. Take pictures of you and your view (selfie or an ussie). Make this spot a regular monthly or annual meet, same time, and document each reunion with a photo.

– Midnight Rendezvous: Pick a friend and meet at an all-night diner or some obscure truck stop just outside town for a midnight snack. Add to the unusualness of the event by arriving dressed to the nines. If you prefer a less public setting, invite your friend over for midnight milk and cookies but enforce your footy-pajama dress code, or no service.

READ. Never stop growing and learning. Read something that will help you understand a different perspective from your own. Challenge your mind to expand and think.

SLEEP. Get adequate rest. A well-rested body and mind will increase your endurance to feel more active and alive—provided you add some other stimulating activities that were mentioned.

BE GENTLE. Be gentle to yourself. If you don’t want to participate, don’t. If you don’t understand something, be kind to yourself until you can figure it out.

LET GO. If you can’t control it, let it go. Let go of attachments. Be free.

There are so many more things you can practice, but just start with one then move to another. Build your toolbox one practice at a time. Feel the “Ahhh . . . !”

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Photo, top, the Murfreesboro Greenway by Sarah Mayo