Life can be truly stressful sometimes. We all have obligations, such as paying the bills, raising a family, and working hours on end every day, which can be quite nerve-racking. So what can do you when you feel that all of your problems are weighing down on you? How can you relax and unwind on a daily basis so your sanity will stay intact?If you’ve been looking into the matter, you might have heard something about finding your inner Zen, but do you know what that really means? Does it mean that you need to go on vacation more often? Turn your phone off every night? Or maybe visit your favorite casino every once in a while and play some Aristocrat pokies?

It is time to take a closer look at the meaning of the term Zen, how you can achieve the said status, and what changes can calm your mind on a daily basis!

Finding Your Zen in 5 Ways

Before you learn how to find your inner Zen, let’s clarify what Zen actually means. Nowadays, we use the term to describe simplicity, a state of mind, and a habit. But in reality, the word Zen means so much more. Zen is actually a term that refers to Zen Buddhism, which is a movement that was born thousands of years ago, and it became a tradition that was passed down from one generation to the next. If you try to understand the meaning of the word itself, you should look at its’ Chinese and Sanskrit origin. In both those languages, the word Zen means mediation, to observe, to look, to see. Keeping that in mind, how can you incorporate the wisdom of this movement into your life without spending weeks, and even months, learning about the Zen traditions? There are a few simple tips that can help you reach the desired calm we’re all so fond of, without requiring too much effort on your part.

• Live in the Moment – Old regrets and thoughts of what you still have to achieve can stress you out to no end. To remove this critical stress factor, you need to stop thinking about what might have been and what you still have to do. Instead, focus on the here and now. Take the time to appreciate where you are, what you’re doing and the people around you, and you will be able to focus on what really matters.
• Be More Active – It is a known fact that physical activity serves to raise the levels of Endorphins in your body, thus reducing stress levels. Try to be more active throughout your day by walking or riding your bike instead of using your car, or take a sports class once or twice a week. In addition to raising your spirits, those sessions of physical activity can provide you with a short reprieve from life. When you walk around at a leisurely pace or participate in a Yoga class, you remove yourself from stressful situations such as focusing on the road while driving. During this time, you don’t have to think about anything other than things that make you happy, which can prove to be quite relaxing.
• 5 Minutes of Meditation – Meditation has proven to be useful in calming people down, which makes it a great tool that can help you unwind after a stressful day. You don’t have to spend hours closing your eyes and trying out different breathing techniques, as it is not practical. You only need to dedicate 5 minutes of your day to clear your mind and stop thinking about your problems. We’re talking about a few precious minutes that can do a lot of good for your soul.
• Don’t Forget to Laugh – When we have too many things on our plate, we often tend to get serious and forget to have fun, even though we crave for something to relieve the tension. Make sure to find a reason to laugh every single day. Use every method you could think of – read funny stories, look for hilarious memes, play casino games, or do something silly – it doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you allow yourself to unwind.
• Remind yourself of the Good Things in Your Life – This is one of the most effective tools you have at your disposal. Every day, create a list of at least five things that made you feel good that day. Think about people or situations that made you laugh or any other thing that made your day that much better. Sometimes, remembering the bits of good amongst the bad is not an easy task, but this list can help you get a new, more positive perspective on life.

In Conclusion

Finding your inner Zen is not a hard task as long as you commit yourself to this magical way of life. You might forget to stay “Zen” every once in a while, but if you make an effort –nothing will be able to bring you down.