And it seems we’re not alone. A new survey by Rescue has found that, on our ‘busy days’, 42 per cent of us wish we could be more composed. And 34 per cent of us rarely stop to take a moment to comfort ourselves or gather our thoughts.
But you can release that infinitely more composed inner you. Neil Shah from the Stress Management Society, and nutritionist Sally Wisbey, have the following tips for switching your mind from ‘survive’ to ‘thrive’.
1 Have a ‘mini-break’
No, we don’t mean a weekend in a spa outside Bath (though that might be nice). ‘If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it can be a good idea to remove yourself from the situation,’ says Shah. ‘Go outside for some fresh air, if possible, as oxygen can help regain clarity and concentration.’
2 Raise your hands
As workloads and demands increase, the majority of us are leading sedentary lifestyles that make blood flow sluggish, says Shah. She advises building some simple “above head” movements into your day: ‘Just raising your arms up above your head for 10 seconds can improve blood flow to the brain and in turn concentration,’ she says.
3 Go herbal
Put down the double-chocolate cronut. ‘Instead of reaching for a sugary snack when you’re busy, stick the kettle on and make a cup of chamomile tea, know to have a calming effect,’ advises Wisbey.
Read more: Eating to beat anxiety
4 Breathe better
Want a calmer you? Shah recommends practising this simple technique:
- Stand up straight in a comfortable position, feet a hip-distance apart.
- Before you begin, take a look around the room; focus on the colour, sound, energy and how you feel.
- Inhale through your nose and raise your arms out sideways. Your diaphragm will descend and belly move outwards as you do so.
- Exhale through your mouth and bend your arms into your ribs.
- Repeat this 30 times: 10 x slow, 10 x medium and 10 x fast.
Try soothing Rescue Pastilles, for a moment of calm after a busy day. Each pastille contains a combination of five Bach Original Flower Essences: Star of Bethlehem, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock Rose and Cherry Plum.
How do you beat busy day syndrome? Tweet us (@healthmag), tell us on our Facebook or drop us a line on Instagram @healthymagdaily