Aside from praying...... What are the best ways to 'clear your mind' of all of lifes troubles ?

Question

I like to take a long drive in the country. Go on empty roads and drive slow. Let any cars behind you, pass. Observe the landscape, the trees, the wildlife, and the tranquility. Go on roads that you've never been on before. You'll discover several things. Your mind will be cleared after awhile. You'll see things that you've never seen. You'll remember what's really important in life. You'll have that much sought after thing called . . . TRANQUILITY. You'll find it's easy to pray, even while driving. And you just might find a new place for you and for others to visit. Even if that place is just the open road. Those who have done this, know what I'm talking about. Those who haven't tried.........Read this question again.

BTW. A long quiet walk works also, but do the drive if you can.

What's your best way and will you try this one ????

Answer 1

I like to go to my church really early in the morning when it's dark, or after Sunday night mass when it's really dark and just think about things or look around at the empty church. It's really special because i can look up at the cross and see Jesus and it's only Him and me in the church and I can pray aloud. It's a touching experience.

Answer 2

I like your way, although I'm really bad at driving slow and taking in scenery. If I'm going to enjoy nature, I have to go to a park or a beach and just sit and take it all in. I also like to sit in my room alone and listen to music, it doesn't even have to be Christian music. Just something that reminds me of God or brings me peace. I focus on the music and after awhile, I just naturally start talking to God about everything that's good or bad in my life. Once this is over, I feel very tranquil and calm.

Answer 3

Where attention goes, power flows.

What we focus our attention on become more real to us; it gains in importance; it moves into the front of our field of vision. What we do not focus on becomes background, and soon "disappears" from our notice.

So consciously turning one's focus away from things that are upsetting, and consciously putting one's focus ON things that are calming or joyful or for which you are thankful will bring those things into the front of your consciousness. And once you're full of those things, there's no room left for worry or anger or any other small thing.

Absolutely, I go into nature when I get too wound up (usually on foot, though), or I pay attention to my dogs.

And there is another technique that works for me, when I remember to do it. It's this:doing something just to be dong it, not with any other drive or desire. It can be anything. Washing dishes. Sorting clothes. Looking at artwork. Gardening.

Becoming the thing you are doing - being your actions - brings satisfaction and calmness, too, though it's not the easiest discipline. It takes practice.

Answer 4

writing in a journal helps me. That way it just clears whatever is going on out of your head. It seems that circumstance get stuck in my head until I can either tell someone about them (not always an option) or write them down.

If you really let yourself be free with what you write, sometimes you'll be surprised by what you find - sometimes the answer to what you were needing help with.

Answer 5

Whenever I am feeling over burdoned, under appreciated and all the other things that get in the way of remembering just who I am and why I am here, I go help someone else.

When you finish your day helping others you come home understanding that your troubles are nothing but what the ones you just helped would consider blessings.

Its a humbling feeling and puts our own troubles in real focus and I am again ready to thank God not only for my blessing , but also for my petty little troubles.

Answer 6

I agree with you that getting out on the road, physically away from my troubles, helps set me straight. Apart from that I find that a little exercise works wonders. I've also got a few cds that seem to help me get to a peaceful place.

It also helps to have a good support system. I'm lucky enough to have two really bright, amazing sisters, and they're usually good for making me take myself a little less seriously.

Answer 7

I do things that I have a passion for, and the hobbies that I have involve a certain amount of physical activity that releases some of my pent-up energy.

However, in the extremely stressful times in my life, I've looked at myself in a Calvinist light, i.e. a total depravity that is not worthy of God's grace, and yet for some reason he has seen fit to give me faith anyway. And that gets me through things.

Answer 8

Well praying is my first- but then I also like to watch Napoleon Dynomite or Zoolander- that always frees my mind of worries- gives me a laugh. Or come on here and answer questions with biblical answers- that always brings me Joy! But aside from praying- being my first I would have to say the BIGGEST stress releaver for me is exercise!

Answer 9

That is a great suggestion to people that we do often.
I use these other methods as well....
I enjoy going in my room and listening to soft music while I close my eyes and reflect.
I enjoy sitting outside when everybody is off to work and school, and watching my animals (mainly my horses), also riding my horse it helps me to clear my head and view nature's beauty.

I also just love to sit outside right before it is getting dark and watch the sun go down...quite a peaceful time~

Answer 10

My boyfriend and our friends and I do this all the time! We call this our little "getting lost adventures." We just drive and enjoy the scenery until we are hopelessly lost. Then, we work together with maps and signs to get us back to where we belong. It's really fun, and super-stimulating. Not only have we cleared our minds and grown closer, we have also used our problem-solving skills to work together and forget whatever is troubling us.