3 Tips to Relax Your Mind

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Many times what we think are huge problems in our lives really originate in our own minds. This is beautifully put across in a famous aphorism by the third century BC Indian teacher, Chanakya. One Chanakya quote says, “The mind is everything. What you think you become.” So, here are a few tips on how to be happy and how to relax your mind.

#1 Listening to Classical Music

There have been a plethora of studies that look at the positive influences the right kind of music can have on both our physiology and psychology. Classical music has bee found to be especially beneficial. For example, Indian classical music has been found to be beneficial in improving mood and boosting concentration. Western classical musis, such as the compositions of Bach, Mozart and Chopin, have also been found to help those who work in stressful situation.

#2 Yoga & Meditation

No article on relaxation would be complete without something on yoga and meditation and how these are powerful tools to relax not just mind and body, but the very being itself. Several studies have shown that yoga reduces stresses, while also making us less susceptible to future stress.

Mental strength, and physical health seem to be a natural outcome of regular yogic practices. Some may also want to consider wearing a rudraksha mala. A rudraksha is a “necklace” of rudraksha beads, which are the seeds of a particular species of tree. Rudrakshas are primarily worn for spiritual benefit, but they also help calm the mind. Check out this great post on the benefits of rudraksha, and how you can find a genuine one.

#3 Recognize the Limitations of the Mind

What’s most important in order to relax the mind is to realize that though we as humanity have achieved much by applying our minds, still the mind itself can become a barrier to experience many things unless we know how to keep it aside, at least for a little while. A first step towards this is in just recognizing that while the mind has brought us many things, it is not everything. The mind is essentially an accumulation of impressions from the outside, so we should see how to make use of it, instead of it ruling us.

Ananya Mathur