***Collaborative post***
In the modern world, a little peace and quiet is very difficult to come by. We are constantly bombarded by phone notifications, emails, and social media updates. No matter where you are in the world, you can always be contacted by work, friends, or family, and this can make it tough to relax. This stress can be augmented if you have young children, a high-pressured career, or a lot of social commitments. With so much on your plate, how can you find the time to settle down?
Despite the prevalence of technology and the excess of stress in your life, there are still ways to find some much needed tranquility in your life. You just need to be strict with yourself and adopt some smart techniques for getting away from the world for a while. Here are three ways to get a bit more peace and quiet.
Turn off your phone
Our phones have become like limbs, as they are completely inseparable from our bodies and we don’t like them to be out of our sight. They have so many useful applications in our lives, but they are also one of the biggest causes of stress. Phone addiction is a widespread phenomenon, and our inability to switch off leads to all kinds of health issues and cognitive defects. It impacts our mental health, memory, thinking, concentration, and self-esteem. Not to mention the vision and postural problems caused by hunching over a screen all day. Don’t let those buzzing notifications dictate your life. Endeavor to spend the minimum amount of time possible on your phone, using it only when absolutely necessary. Switch it off when you’re not using it and use this time to read a book or go for a long walk instead. Delete unnecessary apps or set timers so you can be vigilant about overuse. Spending less time in the digital world will enhance your life in so many ways.
Spend time in nature
You might have a stressful career or a cramped household, but the world is full of relaxing places where you can go to be alone with your thoughts. Spending time in nature has proven benefits on one’s mental health, and even taking five minutes of solitude each day will make your stress levels plummet. Even if you live in the city, far away from the countryside, there are no doubt still parks and rivers near you where you can go for a walk.
Build your own relaxation space
If you don’t have anywhere in your home where you can go to get away from screaming children or your incessant work emails, why not build your own fortress of solitude? If you have a spare room in your house, you could convert it into a space just for you to go and wind down, with no children, or phones, allowed. Alternatively, you could construct your own shed, or one of these modular garden rooms, to which you can retreat and spend some time away from the world. Although these options will require a bit of time and money, the results will be more than worth the effort.
