Six simple ways to squeeze some nirvana into your hectic modern day.

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Everything about our modern day life is, well, lightning speed. And, as with anything moving a hundred miles an hour, slowing things down can be a bit of issue.

So, how does the modern day, “new-age” Zen seeker squeeze in some nirvana in-between business meetings and lunch? Ah, grasshopper, this is not the question.

The number one inhibitor of Zen is stress.

In fact, it can be near impossible for you to find a blissful state when you are chewing your lip, sweating beads, teeth grinding your way through a meditation or staring at an upside down clock mid-downward dog.

While there is no quick fix, concentrate tonic, instant product band aid that can rid stress from our body. You can however plug one or all of the top nine ways to add Zen to your daily routine to help dilute stress…

Stop

And I mean it when I say, stop. Sit it, zip it, unplug it. To just be, you need to not be scrolling through your emails on your phone or flicking through a magazine. Actually just sit with yourself for a moment. In your own company. Check in with how you are feeling, thinking, worries, to-do’s, energy levels and become present in yourself, connected to yourself.

Breathe

Alright wise guy, yes I realize you have mastered the art of breathing—obviously. What I need you to do is breathe deeper, longer, calmer breaths. Actively slow down your breaths and allow your body to acknowledge that you are giving it space to slow down.

Tune Out

Get a bird’s eye view on life and zoom out from everything that you are allowing to affect you at this point and time. Allow yourself to detach from it so you can access what is actually worth your worries and energy. By keeping stresses at arm’s length you can be less affected by their outcomes and therefor less affected by stress.

Balance

Balance really is an act, a balancing act. You need good, bad, highs and lows in order to feel happy. So don’t beat yourself up for feeling out matched by stress. Remember, everything needs to be in balance and nothing is permanent. Your state of joy will pass, so too will stress. Try to keep a balance between work, social, family, friendship and you time—each of them feed into your overall zen in different ways helping you feel an overall sense of fulfillment.

Say No

Oh yeah, you heard right. No. No! Noooo! Boy that feels good. Remember that it is completely fine to say no without any need for justification. Be sure not to over commit yourself; ideally you should be saying yes to you first—so ask yourself, are you looking after your needs first and foremost when you are feeling stressed? If not, then that could be a contributing cause. Boom, move over Dr. Phil.

Get Amongst It

What makes you happy? Good try, but chocolate was an easy answer. No seriously, what makes you feel good? Nature, exercise, children, laughter? Whatever speaks to your soul and lifts your energy, and generally puts you in a good mood you should do more of. Rocket science, right? After all, one of the quickest ways to dissolve stress is with a good vibe! Think of it as stress’ kryptonite! And plan B can be that block of chocolate.

So grasshopper, instead of trying to squeeze more into your day, try take a little out, stop a little more, breathe a little deeper, look at the big picture, put yourself first and make doing what you love a priority.

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Editor: Catherine Monkman

Photo: dB Photography/Flickr