A 4 Minute Tip That Helped Me Feel More Calm and Relaxed

We had just gotten to the gym and I had already decided I would rather be anywhere else in the world.

I was tired and my head hurt, and working out felt like the absolute last thing I wanted to do. Still, since PJ and I were there together (like always), I decided to make the most of it. I hopped on the treadmill and put in my AirPods and tapped on Apple Music. But this time, instead of listening to one of my workout albums like Britney or Taylor, I decided to go for something different.

I saw this album called Finding Calm in the Chaos: Meditations & Affirmations by Sara Clark, an NYC yoga teacher. The album is broken up into 7 tracks, each one a guided practice for relaxation. They’re designed to be practiced at any point during the day, or you could listen to one every day for seven days to make it a little ritual. They’re only about four minutes long each, so they take no time at all (I listened to almost the whole album on the treadmill).

The tracks are called things like I Am, Just Be, I Have Time, I Trust the Process, I Am Love, etc. They’re meant to help you center yourself, calm down, and be completely present in the moment, while also giving you positive reinforcement throughout.

Each one begins with Sara saying “Find a comfortable seat, and when you’re ready, close your eyes. Bring your awareness to your nostrils and notice your natural breath for a moment.” If you’re not good at meditation like me, that’s okay. You definitely have to lean into the whole deep breath, try your best to focus mentality, but it’s so worth it.

I spent my entire time on the treadmill listening to it and by the time I was finished, I instantly felt more calm and relaxed. I found myself taking deeper breaths, closing my eyes, and focusing on Sara’s warm, soothing voice. It was so relaxing and I felt strong and powerful by the time it was over.