7 Simple Ways to Relax (#5 will surprise you)!
There’s no question that today’s modern way of life can be stressful. In between job, family members, and also social obligations, it can be tough to make time on for yourself. But it’s important that you do find a way to relax – even if it’s only for a few minutes. How do you do that? Read on!
Making time to relax can keep you healthy and balanced, in both your body and mind. The good news is, no matter just how active you are, it’s easy to discover how to make time for relaxing.
Easy Ways to Relax
When it comes to ways to relax, the easier the better. If you can find 5 minutes of your day for yourself, you can find time to unwind. Here are 7 easy ways to help relax:
1. Breathe It Out
Taking a moment for some deep breaths is one of the simplest relaxation approaches, and it can also help you calm down your stressed-out mind and body anywhere and anytime. Sit or set in a silent place – such as on your bed or the floor – and place your hands on your stomach.
Breathe in to a slow count of three, and then breath out to the same slow-moving count of 3. Feel your belly rise and fall as you breath in and out. Repeat five times, or as much as you need to in order to feel relaxed.
2. Release Physical Tension
When we’re mentally stressed, we frequently feel physically stressed as well. Relieving any type of physical tension can help alleviate stress in your body and mind. There are several ways to release physical tension such as exercising, getting a massage, yoga, tai chi, meditating, or by doing breathing work.
Lay on a soft surface, such as your bed, a rug, or a yoga mat. Then contract one part of your body at a time, hold for a count of 5 and then slowly release the contraction. Doing this for only a minute will help you feel better!
3. Write It Out
Getting things off your mind by writing them down may help you relax. When you really feel stressed, take a couple of minutes to write down some quick notes regarding exactly how you’re feeling or just how your day is going.
You may do this in a notebook, journal, or in a notes app on your phone. Don’t worry about being poetic or making sure punctuation is correct. Just concentrate on writing down your feelings to help you release some of your stress and anxiety.
4. Be Grateful
Can being grateful actually help you relax? Research says yes it can! There are studies that have shown that practicing gratitude on a daily basis can make you decrease stress, make you happier, protect you from depression, help you sleep better, boost your immune system and improve your relationships.
Gratitude is paying attention to what you have rather than focusing on what you don’t have. It is finding satisfaction from what is around you and paying attention to the people, situations and things that make your life worthwhile.
Making a list about what you’re grateful for can help some people feel relaxed. Experts say that when we’re worried, we have a tendency to focus only on the negative parts of life rather than the positive.
Considering the positive parts of your life and writing them down will help you relax and release stress. Try to focus on 3 good things that happened each day – even if it’s just that you were able to have a cup of coffee today – write it down!
5. Visualize Your Tranquility
Visualization is another powerful technique that can help you unwind and relax. Visualization involves using mental imagery to achieve a more relaxed state of mind. Similar to daydreaming, visualization is accomplished through the use of your imagination. Before beginning any type of visualization exercise, make sure your environment is set up for your comfort. To better relax, eliminate any distractions, such as phones, pets or television.
Sit in a quiet and calm place, like your bedroom and then picture yourself relaxing in one of your favorite locations. For me, that’s at the beach or hiking a mountain. If I’m feeling stressed, I picture myself at the beach with the sound of the ocean waves all around me and the warm sun beaming down on me.
6. Get In Touch With Nature
Simply investing in a couple of minutes in nature when you feel stressed can help you relax. Spending time in nature can improve memory, lower stress hormones, and reduce feelings of depression or anxiety, among other perks. Being in nature can also help you clear your head and bring you into the present moment, and is a great way to de-stress and relax.
When you’re feeling stressed out, try to get outside, take a short walk, or just sit in the fresh air. You actually don’t even need to go outside, simply putting a nature-themed screensaver on your computer and looking at it can relax you!
Advantages of Relaxing
There are several advantages to relaxing your brain and body. Relaxation will cancel out the mental and physical stress of the day. Some of these advantages include:
What are the effects of too much stress?
The Takeaway
Some tension is part of day-to-day life. Some stress and tension can actually be a good thing. It can inspire you to act and can even save your life when you go into the “fight or flight” mode. When you’re facing a dangerous situation, you need that added stress and tension to respond to the threat.
However, the exact same “fight-or-flight” instinct can harm you if you don’t know how to turn it off. Relaxing not only makes you feel good – it’s a requirement for overall health. Being in a constant state of stress will literally wear you out.
Stress may be a big part of life, but that doesn’t mean you need to let it control you and impact your life, health, and relationships. Take a moment and learn how to manage your stress and relax.
