When the mind and body are ill at ease, the spirit, or attitude and personal feelings of well-being, become disrupted. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that using complementary and alternative techniques, such as mediation, acupuncture and deep breathing, to calm the spirit bring about peace of mind as well as physical health benefits that can include lowered blood pressure, reduced heart rate and pain relief. Utilizing relaxation methods to calm the spirit can help those suffering from depression, sleep disorders and addictions.
Step 1
Join a group that offers guided meditation or mindful prayer. If you have difficulties quieting your own mind, you may find that focusing on the words and directions of a guide can help you to stop the constant chatter in your head that prevents you from calming your spirit.
Step 2
Repeat positive mantras. If you are in an environment where you can say them out loud, you may find they are more effective, although silently repeating a positive phrase in your head also will serve the purpose. Consider a phrase such as "all is well," or if you are religious say, "God is with me." Find a mantra that works for you and repeat the slogan until you feel your spirit returning to its calm state.
Step 3
Practice a physical exercise that is designed to enhance the mind-body connection. Useful techniques that you can do privately or in a group include yoga, tai chi or qi gong. Yoga works to bring you into the moment through a series of slow movements and poses that require concentration and balance. Tai chi is a graceful martial arts practice that requires mind and body concentration. Qi gong incorporates meditation, deep breathing and movement to restore balance to your overall spirit.
Step 4
Take a few minutes to perform square breathing, which forces you to count your breaths while you concentrate on the movement of oxygen in your body. Deep breathing through the nose to a count of four and out the mouth to the same count can help to calm your nerves and reduce stress by slowing your breathing. You can do deep breathing anywhere at any time to quickly calm your spirit.
Step 5
Get a massage. Researchers at the National Mental Health Information Center report that, in addition to relieving tired or aching muscles, massage can release tension and stifled emotions that are preventing you from experiencing a calmer spirit.
Tips and Warnings
- If you need additional outside help, try going in for acupuncture treatments. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing art designed to align the qi, or flow of life energy, in the body to restore it to a balanced state. See a qualified practitioner that practices in a safe and sterile environment.
- The National Mental Health Information Center reports that massage is a highly unregulated industry and that consumers should take care to find out what licenses are held by a massage therapist before seeking treatment. License requirements vary from state to state.
Things You'll Need
- Mantra
- Massage
- Acupuncture
