Problems and anguish are inevitable in everyone’s life, however, we need to find ways to deal with them and calm our hearts.
Life is like a roller coaster, like high peaks and low peaks. Although we know this, it is not always so easy to deal with the moments when life puts you down. So, looking at everything that is currently happening in the world, diseases, violence, crises and so many other things out of place, it is very common to feel distressed. In fact, a lot of people are feeling this way. Therefore, calming the heart in moments like this is difficult, but essential to find ways to deal with and survive all of this.
Anxiety is a bad feeling, where restlessness, nervousness and, above all, a lack of inner peace prevail. Far beyond a strange sensation, anguish has physical effects, such as a lump in the throat, unusual agitation and a tightness in the heart.
However, it is normal for major events, both positive and negative, to affect us emotionally. Major events such as the coronavirus pandemic, for example, cause a great emotional impact, increasing anxiety and constant worry.
Therefore, finding ways to calm the heart is essential in every moment of anguish. However, this is an individual search, where we can be guided by some habits and behaviors that contribute to alleviating this feeling.
Distress and anxiety
When we experience peaks of anxiety, it is common for many distressing feelings to emerge, such as fear, low self-esteem, disapproval and aversion, among others.
Therefore, this state of anguish makes people put aside what makes them happy, as the focus is directed towards derogatory feelings. However, only through persistence and serenity is it possible to find a way out of this place, space and emotional state.
You have to be willing to deal with these feelings and emotions. But first of all, identify the root of the problem. So, when you find what is triggering these emotions, you need to mature these emotions and understand them without judgment. However, not everything in life is under our control, so we need to deal with things as they are, not as we expect them to be.
Therefore, to do this, we have to accept the losses, the problems, the betrayals, and everything that is not in our hands. You can only change or resolve something that depends on you, whatever it isn’t, try to remove it from your life, or at least put it in the background.
Furthermore, it is important to remember that accepting is different from agreeing. It’s just about facing reality and understanding that there are things that are far beyond us, and that there’s nothing we can do about it. Try to focus your energy on what you can handle, control and solve and free yourself from the unnecessary anguish of wanting to solve the impossible.
The suffering
Sometimes suffering is inevitable, which doesn’t mean you need to stay in it. It’s normal to surrender for a moment, after all, no one is made of iron, and sometimes everyone falls apart. And everything is fine!
Therefore, we need to stop this idea that we should always be fine, or at least show it. As previously stated, life has ups and downs, no one is always happy, joyful or satisfied. In fact, this is impossible!
However, understanding this, no one will remain in this state for long. So, it’s time to look for ways to calm your heart, and everyone does it as best they can. As each person is a unique universe, there would be no way for there to be a magic formula that works for everyone in the world.
Look at yourself
Regardless of life’s problems, which will always happen, you need to take care of yourself, and this self-care should be part of your routine. Besides, sometimes we need to take a moment to look inside. That’s right, in the depths of your being, and see it as a house, in which you have accumulated many things over time. Among these things, some are necessary, others not so much, and some shouldn’t even be there anymore.
Therefore, it is good to recycle everything that is stored, and simply throw away everything that is not good for you. We are talking about bad feelings, fears, uncertainties, frustrations, hurts, betrayals, distrust. In fact, it’s like cleaning.
It’s like in a house: you know when you do that cleaning and throw away all that stuff you kept, even though you knew you were never going to use it, and then you get that feeling of lightness and tranquility? It’s the same when we decide to get rid of what no longer serves us.
What do you do to calm your heart?
There’s no shortage of options. Therefore, there are many options, such as:
- focus on self-care;
- activities such as meditation, yoga or sports;
- comfort in a book;
- watch a series or film that you like;
- meet up with friends to have fun;
- seek refuge in nature;
- appreciate the little things in life, like the sunrise, the moon and animals playing in the street;
- listen to loud music;
- cooking for yourself or someone you love;
- put an old plan into practice, or create new plans.
- Take a walk in the park, have a picnic and take the dogs for a walk.
Exercising empathy, compassion, helping a co-worker or a stranger on the street is also a way to calm an anguished heart.
Getting in touch with a loved one who you haven’t seen for a long time. Also, plan a trip with friends, or even take a last minute trip alone, why not?
Finally, regardless of religious beliefs, faith is also a way of seeking comfort in turbulent times. In these moments, faith, in whatever it may be, may be a little shaken, but this is generally where many people find the strength to deal with situations like this.
Prayers to calm the heart
Prayer for inner healing
“Lord, free me from all the bitterness and feelings of rejection that I carry with me.
Heal me, Lord.
Touch my heart with your merciful hand and heal it, Lord.
I know that such feelings of anguish do not come from you: they come from the enemy who tries to make me unhappy, discouraged, because you chose me, just as I chose you, to serve and love.
Send me, therefore, your holy angels to free me from all anguish and feelings of rejection, just as you sent them to free your apostles from prison who, although unjustly punished, praised you and sang with joy and fearlessness.
Make me also always happy and grateful, despite the difficulties of each day.”
Prayer to calm the heart
“Lord, enlighten my eyes so that I can see the defects of my soul, and seeing them, do not comment on the defects of others.
Lord, take my sadness from me, but don’t give it to anyone else.
Fill my heart with divine faith, to always praise your name.
Take away pride and presumption from me.
Lord, make me a truly righteous human being.
Give me hope to overcome all these earthly illusions.
Plant the seed of unconditional love in my heart and help me make as many people happy as possible to expand their happy days and sum up their sad nights.
Turn my rivals into companions, my companions into my friends, and my friends into loved ones.
Do not allow me to be a lamb before the strong, nor a lion before the weak.
Give me, Lord, the wisdom to forgive and remove from me the desire for revenge.”
Prayer to calm the afflicted and distressed heart
“Lord, take my anguished heart, receive the situations that leave me startled!
Many situations have filled my thoughts, so come to my aid!
Calm this storm inside me, touch me deeply!
Dress my insides with your holy spirit!
Renew my strength, for my soul is distressed and has no strength to fight! Fill me with faith and hope! Fill me with you!
The prayers were removed from the Terra and Astrocentro websites.
Songs to calm the heart
Finally, to finish, a list of relaxing and calming songs to calm the heart.
Happiness – Marcelo Jeneci
Annunciation – Alceu Valença
Patience – Lenin
Lucky Subject – Belchior
Prayer to Time – Caetano Veloso
Little White House – Maria Bethânia
Watercolor – Toquinho
Mystery of the Planet – New Baianos
Águas de Março – Elis Regina & Tom Jobim
Imagine – John Lennon
And you, do you have any ritual or habit that helps you face moments of anguish? Anyway, what did you think of this article? In fact, take the opportunity to also check out meditation for anxiety.
Sources: Pioneiro Vida Simples Terra Astrocentro
Featured image: Vanessa Lino
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