We live in a fast paced life, with constant noise and distractions.
Our minds are always distracted by phone calls, text messages, sirens and car alarms.
We are always driving in traffic or running from one meeting to the next.
The philosopher Nietzsche said “haste is universal because man is always running from himself.
“ In coping with stress it is helpful to spend time alone, free from distractions and look inward.
The Christian writer Paul Tillich said “ Language has created the word loneliness to express the pain of being alone.
And it has created the word solitude to express the glory of being alone.”
Time alone can be very beneficial in helping people deal with stress in their lives. Try going for long solitary walks on nature trails or by the beach. I find that being by the water and watching the waves has a calming effect on me. Herman Melville said we witness something mysterious about ourselves and origins in the contemplation of the sea, something vast, sublime and incomprehensible. Contemplating the vastness of the sea can make problems and situations
that arise everyday seem small and insignificant. Standing by the sea, we feel small and insignificant, but our consciousness expands, and we feel at one with the universe.
I also find that when I am in stressful situations, that focusing on the breath helps calm my mind.
By taking slow deep breaths and slowly exhaling my mind slows down, and I have better focus.
Meditation is another method that helps calm my hyperactive mind.
During meditation I watch thoughts arise and slowly fade.
My mind slows down, and I feel vast emptiness and inner peace.
If you want to find out more about how meditation can help calm your mind please watch this video.