When you’re feeling weighed down or can’t focus, a quick reset is in order. A lot of people are using old-fashioned spiritual methods for just that. Here are 9 to try if you want to feel a little more at ease, from the obvious like salt baths to the kind of quiet that puts a stop to emotional clutter.
Why you might be in a hurry to clear your energy
It’s not all in your head. The kind of strain we put on ourselves shows up in how we carry our bodies and get through the day. When things in the room with you feel thick, you need something unadorned to make some space.
In most traditions, the point of a cleansing isn’t to be complicated; it’s to be purposeful. You don’t have to set aside an hour for it. A few small, steady moves will do to put you back in balance.
Some quiet ways to start: with your breath and by unpluging
The nervous system responds well to a good, slow inhale. Hold it, then let it out while you think of the stress going with it. It’s a surefire way to put your emotions in check and be present for a minute.
Then there’s the overstimulation. Put the screens and the noise away for a while. You’ll be surprised how much of a difference a day of lighter food, some silence and a break from the usual chaos makes for your head.
Change the vibe in the room
There is a reason a calm room makes for a calmer you. Smoke has been around for a long time to put an end to what’s been sitting in the air. Use some sage, palo santo or incense and move it about with the idea of making room for some peace.
People have always put their faith in salt to take on some of the weight. Not only in the tub, but in a few small dishes left in the corners of a room for the night. It’s an easy fix for when a home feels too charged.
A little sound can put a room right. Be it a singing bowl, a bell, some soft music or even the outdoors. Give it a few minutes and you’ll see the mood change and the day’s rough edges smooth out.
Put your feet on the ground, and in nature
Water is the most natural thing to have on your side. Make your shower or bath a moment to be in it. Toss in some Epsom or sea salt, maybe a dash of vinegar, and as the water runs, picture what you want to leave behind.
If your mind is all over the place, nature is a good anchor. Go for a walk without shoes on the grass, sit by a tree, be near the water. When everything is on top of you, the earth has a way of putting things in perspective.
Wind down with a word or two
Healing doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down. Some say the spirit is still at work while you sleep. So before you turn in, make a note to let go of whatever is left over and let the stillness handle it.
What you say matters. Put some of it out in the open to turn the page on how you’re feeling. ‘I’m done with what I don’t need.’ ‘I am at peace.’ Say it and you’ll find it does something for your composure.
Make a list and get to it
Need a place to start? Pick a couple of these:
– Have a salt bath and let the stress go with it
– Put the phone down and be quiet for a bit
– Put on some music to put you in a better headspace
– Leave some salt out in the room for the evening
– Know what you want before you hit the pillow
Don’t overdo it
You don’t have to do all 9 in one go. One for the morning, one for the night is enough. Keep it simple and make it a habit. In a week or so, you can add another to round it out.
It’s not about being perfect, it’s about showing up. Do this and you’ll find you can be more of a rock, even when the day is hard on you.
We should be clear: these are practices rooted in culture and belief, not science. This is here for you to read and reflect on, not as a substitute for any kind of professional advice.
