Calm and Peace from Busy Hands

Our days seem to be filled with never-ending chaos which makes for a very weary mind. Many times amidst all of this it's almost impossible to feel a sense of calm. We need calmness in order to reduce our stress levels and feel at peace, or at least rested.

On days I feel the most stress, I find that there comes a point where I need to stop looking at what I think "needs" to be done. Usually I will realize that much of it can wait; then I decide what I want to do at that moment to regain balance.

There are many things that some would consider chores, but in reality they help to clear the mind of worrisome thoughts. It's amazing how busy hands can have this effect. Some of the activities that I find most effective include:
  •  Cleaning - it doesn't matter if it's doing the bathrooms, dusting, vacuuming or mopping, they all work to calm the chaos in my mind. When I'm done I feel relaxed with an uncluttered mind, and the clean house at the end is a bonus.
  •  Cooking or Baking - chopping, measuring, blending, sautéing or baking; having my hands mixing up some delicious creation is a joy. The delectable aromas conjure up pleasant memories from childhood.
  •  Gardening - whether it's the vegetable garden or flower bed, time spent there is one of my favorite "chores". There is something so peaceful about having my hands in the dirt, pulling weeds or dead-heading the flowers. Listening to the bees buzz as they do their work is like music for my soul.
  •  Writing - when pen hits paper, and my thoughts start to flow through my hand, it's as if everything else disappears. My pent up emotions from the day's stress no longer exist; they are replaced with what my imagination has had stored in the back of my mind waiting to escape.
  • Crossword Puzzles or Reading - puzzles focus my mind on one thing putting other thoughts away in a corner, and reading takes the imagination to other places and times escaping into fantasy.
We all have things that will release stress from our body and mind; we need to ensure we stop and do them. Anything that will allow our mind to take a mini vacation can restore the calm and peace we all need.



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