How to Have Some Chill

Some people just can’t help overthinking, wasting nervous energy, or habitually zoning out on life—they have no chill.

What if you could just enjoy your life and not freak over every little good or bad thing that unfolds in front of you? What if you were the person everyone looked to as a shining example of how to live a peaceful, meaningful and not-overly excited state of being.

Putting your energy into the wrong places—either internally or externally—will deplete you, so here are a few tips to make the most of your time here on earth without sweating the small stuff … too hard.

You Do You
Be yourself. Your uniquely awesome self. Even if it’s not in your nature, people like to be around others who are comfortable in their own skin and not nervously looking around. Having a good time and being secure in what you’re doing at the moment is a pretty attractive quality. People want to be around someone who has a more laid back attitude. On the flip side, if you are indeed a spaz and just can’t help it, at least have fun doing it if it makes you truly happy. Others respect that, too. You gotta be you.

Create Vibe-y Space in Your Home
Messy homes clutter our minds. Emotions influence our lives, which sometimes manifest in crap and clutter scattered throughout our living spaces. If we can free up space, we can free up our minds a bit as well, leaving us feeling happier and more comfortable. Do you have a great space in your home or even in the backyard that people like to congregate in? Do you have a tranquil space for just you?

Go into the Woods for the Weekend
Lay under the stars, take a scenic trip, and gaze in amazement of the beauty that surrounds you. Spending time outside lowers stress levels, releases endorphins, helps give you peace of mind, and rejuvenates the soul. When the brain is in a state of relaxation, scientists call this default mode network (DMN), a complex circuit of communication between different parts of the brain. DMN is essential to mental processes that develop our “understanding of human behavior, instill a code of ethics, and help us realize our identities.” Sounds like resting brain is a chill brain.

Stay Off Social Media for 2 Seconds
If you’re going to hang in the great outdoors, it’s a good idea to disconnect from the electronic world, too. It’s counterproductive to engage in stress-busting outdoorsy stuff if you’re only going to multitask on social media. You can’t fully unwind if you’re on your electronic devices. Don’t worry, Facebook and Instagram will still be there when you get back to civilization. And no one is probably doing anything cooler than you.

Get Some Sleep
For people who are wound pretty tight, it may seem impossible to take a nap. You can nap when you’re dead, right? Only old people need naps, right? But truth is, napping improves memory, cognitive function and creative thinking. You owe it to your brain to give it a rest. You’ll wake up refreshed and ready to take on new information.

Stay in the Present More
Everyone spaces out, sometimes without even realizing it. You might be zoning out just reading this short article. Instead of staying in the present moment, people dissociate in the face of stress. It’s considered a defense mechanism that we learn early on in the life. It may seem like you’re just chilling, but it’s the opposite. Dissociation is connected to the nervous system, so when you’re body reaches overload, it just shuts down. For example, jumpiness is a sign of a sensitive nervous system. It might help to write your feelings in a journal, try visualization techniques, meditation, or yoga.

It’s tough to relax, and get out of our heads, especially during times of stress. The ability to chill out is an important life skill that takes practice. Figuring out what works best for you is an opportunity to find new perspective. There’s even a whole wikihow page dedicated to the fine art of chill.

Photo by Aga Putra