7 Habits That to Calm Your Mind

Doing these simple things can help settle your thoughts when you’re stressed or anxious. 

Many people associate meditation with achieving an ultimate sense of calm. While deep breathing and quiet time can certainly help, they’re not the only tools at your disposal for calming your thoughts. In fact, some of the most effective ways to find stress relief can be found in everyday activities. If you’ve ever felt restless, overwhelmed, or stuck in your own head, these 7 simple activities can offer you brain the break and reset it needs: 

1. Coloring or doodling – Coloring books aren’t just for children. Activities like drawing or coloring can lower anxiety because they help you focus and relieve your mind of worry. Creative hobbies hold your attention, making it harder for anxious thoughts to creep in. Even filling in shapes, like mandala coloring pages, or sketching random patterns can help ease your mind into relaxation. 
2. Chewing gum – If you’re heading into a stressful meeting or sitting in traffic, chewing gum may help take the edge off. Some studies suggest that chewing gum can reduce stress and improve alertness. It may not be a cure for stress or anxiety, but the act of chewing has been shown to lower cortisol, the body’s stress hormone. 
3. Humming or singing – Humming or singing can help regulate breathing and stimulate the vagus nerve, which plays a role in calming the nervous system. Slow breathing and vocal sounds can trigger relaxation responses. Even humming quietly can lower tension and steady your breath. Extra points for recalling song lyrics to keep your mind even more focused on this soothing activity. 
4. Five-minute outdoor break – Spending time in nature can reduce stress and improve mood. Natural light, fresh air, and green spaces help signal to your brain that you’re safe and allow peacefulness to settle in. Even a few minutes outside makes a difference. Take a short walk or sit in the shade of a tree to reground yourself. 
5. Organizing a small space – Cleaning out a small area like a desk drawer or medicine cabinet can give you a sense of control and subsequent calm. When your space is cluttered, your mind often is too. Tackling small, manageable tasks helps reduce overwhelm, making finishing even one tiny task a big stress relief! 
6. Splashing your face with cool water – This simple trick activates part of your body’s natural calming response. Cool water on the face can slow your heart rate and help your body shift out of “fight or flight” mode. It’s a quick reset when anxiety spikes. 
7. Washing the dishes – Don’t be deterred by the idea of chores. Small, repetitive tasks like washing dishes can be surprisingly calming. The warmth of the water, the smell of the soap, and the feel of each plate in your hands enables your brain to shift away from racing thoughts. Staying focused on the tangible task at hand allows you to clear your mind while also checking off the stress-inducing sink full of dishes from your list.