It doesn’t take as long to relax as you think.
No matter how little time you think you have, there is always time to pull yourself together. It can take as little as 5 minutes. Our bodies are meant to react to range of stimuli. Some of those reactions include decreasing tension and anxiety. You can slip into a more relaxed state in many ways, so you can find a technique that works best for you.
Relaxing is more than what people would see as a wasteful, shallow activity. Everyday stresses pile on each other, flooding your body with signals to prepare its “fight or flight” response. With the right tips at your disposal, you can condition your body to handle stress better.
Here are a few techniques you can start trying today:
1. Mindfulness Meditation
Give the present moment your undivided attention using your mind and body. We go through each day in a much of a rush. Taking a break each day to observe fleeting thoughts and emotions have a profound effect on us. According to WebMD.com, “Research suggests that daily meditation may alter the brain’s neural pathways, making you more resilient to stress,” says psychologist Robbie Maller Hartman, PhD, a Chicago health and wellness coach. You can do this while sitting, walking, or exercising.
2. Body Scan Mediation
Need something a little more physical to make you alert? No problem. Bring the meditative focus to different parts of your body to experience how they feel. That’s it.
You usually start from your feet, then work up to your head. As you try this at home, try to refrain from labelling sensations as good and bad. By seeing these feelings as just that, feelings, it gets easier to let them pass.
3. Muscle Relaxation
If you like the body scan meditation, but need to take it a step further, this is for you. Muscle relaxation is a two-step process where you tense and relax your muscles. This practices brings you an intimate understanding of how each part of your body experiences tension. The more you utilize this practice, the faster you will be able to identify when your body is under stress.
4. Self- Massage
We already know about the blissful effects of massage. Those feelings you get after leaving the spa, though, can easily be sparked at home. A friend, significant other, or a personal massager device like this can employ the right pressure to the right areas to relieve stress and promote relaxation. If you want to take enhance your overall experience, add essential oils to your massage.
Are there any relaxation techniques you use? Tell us so we can add them to the list!
