Simple Ways to Recharge Amidst Chaos in the City
Some days, all the scurrying around with daily duties can drain me physically and mentally. These days are I need to recharge my mind, when I need to “stop and smell the roses” as the saying goes.
I live amidst the hustle, bustle and chaos in a city of 5.9 million people. The noises from outside aren’t any help — horns honk, jackhammers hammer, sirens scream, buses rattle by, planes zooming overhead. Reaching for my tablet or cell phone or turning on the TV (yes, some of us look at the television, occasionally) to watch some brain-draining videos or shows is not always the answer. So, I spent some time researching and thinking of different ways to recharge my mind that are simple and effective.
I found these no trouble to do, and surprise, found great joy in doing them. Nothing earth-shattering, just obvious simple ways to recharge that we often overlook.
- Grab A Blank Notebook And Start Writing: You don’t have to worry about following grammar rules. Instead, concentrate on emptying your mind of all those tasks and thoughts cluttering it.
- Call A Loved One Or Friend: Why not call a loved one you’ve overlooked connecting with more frequently? Chat about your favorite memories. Laugh and enjoy the bond you are forging. Or, call a close friend. Talking about what is happening in your life helps you decompress and get a new perspective on things. Often, this opens new thoughts and, even inspiration for a problem or challenge you’re facing.
- Exercise: Physical exercise strengthens more than your body. The endorphins released during walking, running, or other activities leave you feeling great. Your mind is sharper and more positive, too.
Sleep, Meditate, Move: Revitalize Your Mind With Everyday Essentials
If you are not getting enough sleep, challenge yourself to build the habit of getting at least seven hours of sleep. You may need to set alarms to remind you to go to bed on time.
Getting the right amount of sleep every night is not an easy thing for me. A rested brain is a recharged brain. The goal should be to get the right amount of good sleep. Experts suggest seven to nine hours is optimal for most. If you get less than six, you will find your mind fuzzy and decision-making skills taxed. Experts always say we need to get enough sleep and find more ways to rest.
This is a fast-paced world, though. Do we really have the time? Considering the benefits of rest, we better make the time!
- Your Heart Health Improves: Rest allows your blood pressure to lower and gives your heart a chance to slow down. The right amount of sleep allows your blood pressure to regulate, fending off heart disease and stroke.
- Reduce Stress On Your Body: The constant stress of daily living leaves you with heightened anxiety, which weakens your immune system. Regular rest allows your body to lower stress and hormone levels.
- You Become More Creative: Creative breakthroughs happen when you least expect them. Your creativity may be lacking if you haven’t taken a break for a while. Quiet moments of relaxation let your brain rest so it can think more creatively.
- You Become More Productive: Productivity isn’t about who can work for the most hours. It is about who can make the most of each hour. Taking breaks helps your mind reset and reenergizes your body, so you can operate at peak form.
- You Get in Touch With Your “Non-Work” Self:” All work and no play….” The adage is true. It makes you a one-dimensional person who loses who you are. Scheduling time to rest allows you to discover your identity — the one not tied to your career — and learn new things about yourself.
- You Become More Fit: Rest and sleep give your body time to recharge and heal itself. Proper rest ensures fewer injuries while you exercise and more energy to power through tough workouts.
- Increase Ability to Handle Life’s Emergencies: Crises happen. When they do, your body will react. If it is already in a heightened state of stress, you may make poor decisions or become emotional. Resting now gives you reserves to handle things later when you may not be able to get the rest you need.
- Solve Problems Better: Your brain solves problems better after a break from the bombardment of outside influences. Don’t try to force it next time you need to find a solution to a problem. Instead, take some time to rest.
Meditation is one way I get a restful sleep, but at times not required seven to nine hours. Most days I’m able to meditate for 10 to 20 minutes in the morning and, again before going to bed at night. Meditating calms, and slows down my mind allows me to focus on my day that’s coming to an end and my tomorrow. Usually, find my purpose and enjoy a release of stress with each deep breath. When done, I enjoy a rejuvenated mind. - Diet: Of course, we all know that we should be eating healthily, but seldom are able to do so day after day. When I’m on the go, or caught up by my work, I sometime forget to eat lunch! Food feeds your body and your mind. Think about the sugar crash you have after eating ice cream. Not only does your body pay, but your mind can, too. Give your body the right foods, and you will find your mind thanking you.
- Keep A Journal: This is another way I find helps in recharging and clearing my mind. Writing down my thoughts help me to put a busy day into perspective. It slows me down so I can get that jumbled mess out of my brain.
- Remembering: Often times it is the simple pleasures that help me unwind like remembering and celebrating pleasures from my childhood. I remember laying on the floor coloring a garden with trees, birds and flowers. In retrospect, I realize that with each crayon stroke, I was releasing my creativity (and stress) even as a child. Maybe it is time I reengage me inner child!
Digital Sabbath: Embrace Screen-free Periods To Recharge
I’m not too good at this, but I try to go on a technology fast every so often! Technology encourages us always to be connected. The effects are overstimulated brains in desperate need of rest. Social media can also affect your emotional health as you see ‘perfect’ lives broadcast before you. Give your mind the gift of a technology fast.
Smartphones have become an extension of our arms. Look around, and you will find many people looking at their hands instead of the world around them. Disconnecting from your phone more often can enhance your life in many ways.
Here are reasons why you should disconnect from your phone, at least once a month.
Turn your phone off during mealtimes: Use this time to interact with family, ask about their day, or engage in conversation with friends.
Turn off notifications: Set your phone away from you while working on important or time-sensitive projects.
When you disconnect from your phone, you’ll find that you gain periods of solitude. As a society, few of us know how to be alone or be silent. We are bombarded incessantly with notifications on our phones. When you disconnect, you can let your mind relax and enjoy some quiet solitude.
We often spend too much time on our phones because it is our safe place where we don’t have to think about much other than the next item we are scrolling to. Disconnecting from your phone, helps you stay present and keep your mind on important things. Stop using your phone to escape your problems.
Stopping to review each notification causes your mind to ‘short-circuit.’ Those tiny interruptions translate into lost time trying to refocus on the original task. By ignoring your phone, you can remain focused on your task and enjoy greater productivity.
We are wired to be active. Sitting down to scroll on your phone stops you from getting outside as often as you should. Put your phone down, go outside and breathe the fresh air. Take in the beauty around you — it will revitalize body and soul.
Why not consider putting your phone in a drawer for 24 hours?
Enjoy time without the steady stream of distractions gathering in your mind, increasing your stress levels.
Nurture Connections in the Concrete Jungele To Recharge Your Brain
Despite our constant connection to smartphones, the internetand sociual media, we are often lonely, yearning to feel a true sense of community. If this sounds familiar, you might consider getting out more often.
- What Are Your Interests and Hobbies? Finding like-minded people begins by knowing who you are. What are your interests? What hobbies do you enjoy? Figuring this out is the perfect first step toward reigniting your sense of community.
- Make Specific Plans with Friends: We all say, “We need to get together soon!” but that isn’t the same as making concrete plans. Reach out to a friend or two and figure out a specific time and place to meet.
- Volunteer. Giving your time, freely, is a win-win solution. You get to meet new people with similar values and help your community. Participating in these opportunities can also bolster your confidence and help your mental health.
Rediscover Your Spirituality: Many different religious and non-religious belief systems naturally encourage a sense of community. Seek out people with similar beliefs and spend time fostering your spirituality amongst like-minded friends. - Join a Support Group. Often, loneliness is more apparent when you are struggling with something serious. Consider finding a local support group you can lean on. Spending time with people who understand what you are dealing with is comforting.
- Say Yes to Invitations: It’s easy to say “no” to invites that push us out of our comfort zone. Maybe it is time to say yes? The next time a friend asks you to hang out, don’t make excuses — say ‘yes!’.
Your Friends Enjoy Hearing from You. Many of us hold back from reaching out because we don’t want to annoy our friends. The truth is, most of the time, they eagerly want to hear from us. Reach out to a loved one the next time you have the urge.
Amidst the chaos of the rambling city, I’ve found simple ways to recharge.
Deepening connections and prioritizing sleep, meditation, and exercise help revitalize my well-being. Embracing digital breaks bring me solitude, productivity, and nature reconnection. Nurturing connections through interests, volunteering, and spirituality are now central in my life. I regularly revisit my childhood joys via journaling to help me unwind. These practices have formed my lifestyle — a testament to how simplicity can help recharge my thinking.
“Relax, Recharge and Reflect. Sometimes it’s OK to do nothing.” ― Izey Victoria Odiase
Meditation is a habit that may come easily to some. I was meditating for over five years, with many days where I found myself slipping. These days, not so much, not since I completed the no-cost Action Habits Challenge by Connie Ragen Green, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, independent publisher, and serial entrepreneur. You can check it out here.
If you’re interested in revitalizing your life through meditation and would like to learn a virtually risk-free, and cost-effective practice, that people of all ages can do with a little patience and guidance and that will serve you for the rest of your life, I would love to connect with you. You can connect with me here.
Note: Occasionally, I curate affiliate links from a bunch of fantastic entrepreneurs, and of course, some goodies from Amazon, too.
I love hearing from you, but the only way I will receive your message is if you email me directly at DonnaPresents dot com.
I’m Donna SLam, who loves to blog about how meditation brings self-compassion, peace of mind, and clarity to my life and others by sharing tips and strategies on how to live a fulfilling and purposeful life. I enjoy championing others to lead a healthy and happy life through meditation, walking, self-development, and spending time with loved ones.
