Do you find yourself moving at warp speed? This pace might seem so natural, that you don’t notice it. You might not notice what you’re missing in the process of relentlessly keeping up. Yet, the epidemic of stress, anxiety, depression, painkillers, and hyper-caffeination, show us that we’ve lost touch with something essential. We are erring on one side of an important equation. So, is this a call to return to a “simpler life?” or a slower pace? Personally, I don’t see it happening. Instead, I believe we can recover what we’re missing right in the midst of the way things are.

First, you might take a moment to notice how things are for you.

Have you ever had a “day off” and stressed over how to fill it? These days, the concept of a “day off” might just seem lazy. After all, don’t you have all sorts of important things on your list that have yet to get done? I know I do.

Do you work for 50-70 hours per week? You may love your work, but, at a certain point, it can be addicting, distracting, and just too much of one thing. Is it worth it to spend so much time making money and so little time enjoying it?

I notice that it’s even possible to turn leisure time into a quest for quantity. Like, how many activities can you cram into a vacation? Or how many cities can you visit? Or how many souvenirs can you fit into a suitcase?

At what point does “more” become “too much”?

I don’t think there’s a definitive answer to that. However, I do think that it’s important to regain respect for balance. Everything in nature is governed by balance. So much so that you might call “balance” a fundamental quality of a healthy and successful life.

So, in the spirit of regaining a bit of balance within our busy-ness, I suggest that it might serve us amazingly well to take a few moments every day to “do nothing”-quite consciously. Simply to be awake and aware, while not accomplishing anything. In fact, you might find this is a major accomplishment, when you see how it challenges your mind. You might also rediscover something absolutely essential that you didn’t even know you were missing.

To help you “do nothing,” you could choose to be aware of a balanced natural process that you don’t need to “do anything about”-and just observe it. Witness it, feel it, follow it-without “doing anything” to change it. Just notice its natural balance and let that balance become a part of you. (No, TV doesn’t qualify as a natural process.)

As an example, you could observe your breath.

Breathing is a perfect example of balanced natural process. There is a complementary ebb and flow of in-breath and out breath. There is a natural intelligence to this process, a natural rhythm, which informs you as you observe it, as you feel it.

See if it’s possible to be present with your breathing and allow it to be just as it is. Notice the inner sensations as your breath comes in and goes out, on its own, without your conscious intervention-without you needing to “do anything about it.” Any time you notice your mind trying to “do anything” or “go anywhere else,” just recognize that, accept it as the nature of a mind that is accustomed to being busy, and return your attention to observing your breath. Come back to your breath as many times as you wander away from it. That’s all.

If you find yourself saying “This is boring,” or “Am I doing this right?” or “Is this all there is to it?” or “This is a waste of time,” just notice those thoughts too-and return your attention to feeling the inner sensations of breathing.

\”Witnessing\” the felt sensation of your body\’s natural breathing rhythm is a powerful practice. As you practice this, your body’s parasympathetic nervous system comes online. This is your natural recovery mode. It balances all your “doing.” Your brain waves slow down, your heart comes into calm coherence, and your body relaxes. You may notice how great this feels, like a “long-lost friend” or like “coming home.”

The desire to be busy may fade to the background and you may discover a natural desire to do less and enjoy more. You may find a natural balance coming into your mind and body-and you might like it. It could even become a new priority.

Later, when you return to activity, you might find yourself doing everything better and more efficiently. You might find that your mind is clear and you prioritize better. You might find that doing less is more-enjoyable. You might discover your forgotten sense of balance in this practice of “consciously doing nothing.” Even a few minutes a day could make a huge difference in the quality of your life.

Are you ready to de-stress, quiet your mind, and relax deeply? Discover how to take your stress management to the next level. For tips and techniques to reduce stress be sure to visit us here.

Discover how to take your stress management to the next level. For tips and techniques to reduce stress be sure to visit us here:
http://www.mindbodytrainingcompany.com/stress/how-to-de-stress-quickly-on-your-own-time/

Author Bio: Are you ready to de-stress, quiet your mind, and relax deeply? Discover how to take your stress management to the next level. For tips and techniques to reduce stress be sure to visit us here.

Category: Self Help
Keywords: stress management, reduce stress, conscious breathing, balance, relaxation response