Quiet the Mind

It seems that everywhere these days we're inundated with crazy workout programs and calls to be hardcore in our fitness endeavors. Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed many-a-bootcamp, however sometimes it just all seems like too much. We get tired or injured and just burn out until one day we realize we've lost the progress we made.

I spent the past few days in New York City among lots of traffic and people, yet in the chaos found a great amount of peace: I spent time quieting my mind.

Here are a few ways I quieted my mind in the noise of the city:

• I went to the Museum of Modern Art by myself and sat in the sculpture garden outside and practiced deep belly breathing. No equipment needed and no weird poses. Just sitting in a chair and breathing!
• In my hotel room at the end of the night, I spent several minutes on the floor stretching my legs and back with some yoga moves.
• I laughed with friends. Yes, this technically isn't "quiet," but a tickle of the funny bone certainly helps relieve a lot of stress.

These are easy things that we can all do when we start to feel overwhelmed. If your family and pets are causing a ruckus and you need a moment to yourself, go lie in the grass outside. Find a small space and work on stretching instead of suiting up in your fancy workout equipment and coming back a sweaty, exhausted mess. Schedule time with friends and agree that you aren't going to talk about work, dieting, or family drama. 

Do you spend time to quiet your mind when you feel overwhelmed? What tips can you share?