De-stress in 5 minutes.

Physical health is essential and vital. But our minds need exercising too. Even if you do know this fact, it is highly unlikely that you are able to do so amid deadlines, social media and pressure of work and life. However, unlike your body, your mind needs just five minutes to refresh itself every day. Here are five steps you need to follow to stay free and calm.

Recognise your emotion:

How you are feeling right now? Jittery, anxious, happy, overwhelmed, sad, angry, irritated, joyful or blessed? Studies tell that the first step in coping with yourself is to recognise your emotion and label it. This will begin the process of emotional cleansing.

Deep breathe:

Do belly breathing while inhaling and exhaling deeply against count of five, for 30 seconds. Relax your shoulders and feel calm.

Challenge yourself:

Challenge yourself to do something that can significantly change the way you are feeling right now. Let’s say, you can challenge yourself to draw something by hand. Or, you can challenge yourself to act on something that you have been procrastinating for a while. Or, challenge yourself to message and appreciate someone today. Do something different that will make you feel better.

Write down and tear it off:

Whatever thoughts are holding your head tight, writing down what you are feeling will help you solidify your thoughts and help process it better. Journaling is known to calm your brains’ emotional centre. And the most significant part is the release of those emotions by tearing off the paper.

Bring in compassion:

Shift your focus from yourselves to others and how you can help them. By doing so, you are moving away from any sort of narcissism. Mental health experts say that helping others increases happiness.