Relax!: 5 Ways to Find Peace in a Busy Day

By Kayla Reetz

August is here and school is right around the corner.

You know what that means…

Schedules fill up, responsibilities heighten and tighten, and Storm Lake becomes a little more like a machine.  College kids start to return. Sports camps and practices along with music, dance and cheerleading schedules.

Enjoying the ride while trying to stay in the seat!

And life can feel like a never ending roller coaster ride of ups and downs with you just doing your best to hang on!

I always end my classes with a saying: May you find peace in your mind, your heart and each day moving forward. It is my wish for you.

But how to find a sense of peace amongst the busy routines? This blog aims to give you 5 yogic and mindful practices to test out as you find your way back into your “busy”.

1. Grounding Breath

Grounding Breath is a very good ‘in the moment’ practice, but you do need about 3-5 minutes in a quiet place away from others and that’s not always easy to do. However, if you are able to find those moments to yourself today, follow along with my in-studio video below.

Kayla takes you through Grounding Breath

2. Cooling Breath

This is a funky favorite of mine and is especially handy after you feel anger or frustration bubble up.  If you have a temper like me, it can often intersperse itself in the cheeks and the heart rate.  For that reason, this uses a sense of feel inside the mouth (inside the body) that can give your senses a reminder to cool it. Take a moment to read through the directions and test it out.  

Allow the gaze to soften while focusing on something that doesn't move, bringing the body to stillness. 

Start to notice your breath and how it moves through the body. See if you can slow its pace, but expand its reach. 

Repeat for 5, intentional breaths.

After the 5th breath, inhale as if using a straw to drink a beverage, or with a rolled tongue shape to create the same effect.  Keep the inhales sustained and slow.

On the exhale, flatten the tongue against the roof of your mouth and notice the sensation. It should feel cooler at first and warm with time.

Allow the mind to focus only on that sensation and movement. Repeat until the body and mind feel ready to continue with your day- about 5-10 times.

Open the eyes slowly and stretch.

3. Step Into Nature

If you’re a person with an office job who rarely gets to go outside- or worse, you have an office with no windows!- this one can be very helpful to boost you through the day.

On your lunch break or 15 minute break, step outside and simply see how many things you can notice at a sower pace. As you do so, keep a mental track of items.  Try to include things you can not only see, but feel and hear or even smell. All 5 senses are available to you. If the weather is inhospitable for adventuring out, you can always open a window, if applicable or imagine your favorite seasonal day, going through what makes it your favorite in your mind.

Answer the following questions in your mind with intentional breaths:

What surprised you today? Brought a smile to your face perhaps?

What sense was the most active?

What experience did you not want to leave?

4. Mindful Listening Practice

This is a great one to challenge your stillness and focus, giving the mind clear direction.

Bring the body to a place of comfort and stillness either standing or sitting. If this is a first time for you, please remember your brain is not used to this and will protest out of discomfort. This is where the breath can help the mind bring focus and intention.

Start by noticing the breath as it moves naturally through the body normally. After 2-3 breaths, allow the body to lengthen the inhales and exhales at a slow pace.

Soften the gaze, focusing on something that doesn’t move or close the eyes.  Start to notice your immediate area. Tune in to only your sense of hearing, labeling what makes that sound in your mind.

Return to the breath for about 2-3 breath cycles before expanding your reach.

Start to tune in to the space just outside your immediate area.  Maybe it’s down the hall or across the room. Tune in to your hearing once more and what you can notice, labeling what makes the sound in your mind.

Repeat, expanding your hearing distance, until you cannot sense new sounds. Slowly bring the mind back to your body, engaging your sense touch/feel, labeling what your body can feel or touch.

Allow the breath to move intentionally through the inhale and slow exhale before gently moving and waking the body and returning to your day.

5. Journaling/Creating/Recording

This is a common tool/technique for those with busy minds. If you are like me, my mind can sometimes hyperfixate on a moment in time and second (or even third) guess how I responded and reacted in that moment. Or, when the list feels too long and I am overwhelmed, I often find comfort and relaxation in getting it out in creative ways. Instead of giving you a list of instructions here, I am simply going to say to create. Maybe it’s writing on a piece of copy paper or doodling and drawing on a post-it. Maybe it is recording on your phone’s camera or audio and just speaking to yourself as if speaking to your best friend (this practice is best done in the car before or after driving). Give yourself the time and space to fully immerse yourself in the experience- try not to put a time limit on it. Allow the body and mind to guide your time. Afterward, you may choose to keep your creativity or choose to discard it. Either way, the gentle release through creative means may not only allow you to feel more rested, but unpack the burdens you carry for a short time before deciding what you choose to carry.

Pink & Twine Retreat Flyer- 20% off using coupon code RETREAT20 through August 2025.

If you found the tools in this blog relaxing and want to know more, I invite you to join our Pink & Twine Retreat October 3rd-5th. It is intentionally set in the middle of the busy season as a reset and rest opportunity to give back to YOU so you can better provide for those you love and care for.  Click on the link for more information. 

Oh- and, if you sign up before the end of August 2025, you can save 20%! Use coupon code RETREAT20 at checkout.

May you find peace in the mind, the heart and each day moving forward.