We don’t always find time to relax in our busy lives. There are simply so many things to do and so many obligations and responsibilities pushing us in different directions that it can be difficult to slow down and just allow ourselves to breathe for a few minutes or to feel truly relaxed. It has been scientifically proven that it is vital to our short and long-term health to spend some time relaxing each day. This lets our body recharge and energizes us for the rest of the day.
There is a Zen proverb that says something along the lines of: You should find time to relax for twenty minutes each day. If that is too much for you, then relax for an hour instead. There are tons of different things you can do to get into a relaxed mood. All of these techniques share something in common, though. They put your mind in different place from where it usually is, getting you to focus on something other than your busy life.
Below are our favourite relaxation techniques.
Give yourself time each day. You have to start here. Make a little time to spend alone and relaxing, even if it is just for a few minutes. Allow your body to slow down and focus on something that isn’t stressful, especially before you do something important or stressful. Tell yourself that this is your time to relax.
Use controlled breathing. This is done by inhaling for a count of four and then exhaling for a count of four. You can breathe in and out through the nose, if you like. Think about and focus on each breath and how your chest is moving as you take these breaths. This is something you can do at any time, in any place.
Use herbal tea. Civilizations have been using herbal tea as a relaxation technique for centuries, and we still use them today to help us calm ourselves. Some of the best ones are peppermint, chamomile, skullcap, and valerian root.
Bathe with Epsom salts. This time-tested relaxation technique not only helps your body to feel soothed, but it also detoxifies you. It can turn into a powerful aromatherapy session, if you combine it with some essential oils.
Try aromatherapy. Using essential oils targets your sense of smell and uses that to take your mind to other more pleasant places. You can use these in a burner or in your bath.
Give your body some Omega-3. You need a certain amount of fatty acids for your body to work the way it should. Omega-3 fatty acids help your body get rid of stress and fight depression, and you can get this essential nutrient from nuts, oily fish and seeds.
Use a rescue remedy. A lot of herbal medicines have been used as medical remedies for a very long time in many cultures. You can use remedy pastilles, which are often free from alcohol and sugar, and let them dissolve in your mouth to soothe and calm your senses.
Cuddle with someone you love. This is a great way to reduce stress and let your body just unwind from the day’s concerns. If you cuddle for more than 20 seconds each day, then your body will release oxytocin on a regular basis, which is a hormone that helps you to feel good. Use a pet, your child, a friend or your partner as your cuddle buddy.
Go outside for a bit. If you spend some time in light exercise outside, such as walking or biking, then you will relax your senses and destress your body. Even going for a drive can help you relax and stop focusing on things that are worrying you. Getting some sun is great for your body and your mind.
Read a book. One of the most relaxing things you can do is sit down and read a book for a while. You let your mind escape and allow your muscles to relax. You can go to a book store or library to find something that’ll cure your stress and depression.
Use a melatonin dietary supplement. You will boost your overall health and fight stress effectively with melatonin supplements. These supplements can also help you to sleep better. Listen to a podcast for a while. If you downland or stream a podcast, you can force your focus to shift from stressful and worrisome things to something else. You can even listen to podcasts while you are doing other activities, such as riding to work or walking to places. Many podcasts can be streamed or downloaded to portable devices like your phone that you already use.
Use guided meditation. The benefits of mediation are well known, but guided meditation may be better for those who have never tried to meditate before. All you need to do is lay down and relax and listen to one of the many videos on YouTube or iTunes that are under the heading of guided meditation. You’ll have it figured out in no time.
It’s easy enough to find a relaxation method that works well for you. Try out few of these and see what you prefer, and pretty soon you will have the cares of the day far behind you.
