If you are like me when you hear the word, “relaxation” you react by saying, “What’s that?” It can be very difficult to find the time to relax and also know how to relax in the first place. If you suffer from anxiety and stress it is all the more imperative that you carve out some relaxation time during your day. Even if it is for five minutes it will do wonders for your emotional well being. Give yourself that time to look forward to where you can unwind and de-stress.
1. We talked about one way to relax in my last post and that is to visit your favorite peaceful places If you don’t have access to a peaceful place at the moment, you can visit one vicariously through images or video.
2. I have always sought out relaxation videos. They sell them at many stores but you can also find a gazillion of them for free on Youtube. Here is but one example called “Sea of Tranquility” and to the side you can find many more with images and sounds of waterfalls, rainforests, and mountain streams. You can do a search for relaxation or meditation to come up with a multitude of video choices.
3. There is a small gift store in my local area with an odd assortment of trinkets and odd things. One day I discovered this scalp massager and it worked so well that I went back and bought several more for family members. It is one of the most relaxing sensations I have ever experienced. The one I bought looks a lot like a wire whisk with little nodules at the ends of the wires. It was only five bucks at the little gift store but on-line I see them for as little two dollars on up to over thirty dollars. Do a google search for scalp massagers and you will find a wide variety.
4. If you have a good sense of smell, aromatherapy might be one way to help you to relax. There are certain smells which are said to induce a sense of calm such as the scent of lavender. I have a lavender spray that I spray on my pillow and it helps me to go to sleep.
5. Most people who do yoga find it very relaxing. I am probably not the best yoga student as it is very difficult for me to slow down and stop my mind from racing from one thought to another. It may take awhile to learn to relax through yoga but it is well worth the effort. You can read about my yoga experience here.
6. Drinking tea has been associated with peacefulness and feelings of calm for centuries. There are certain teas which are reported to promote relaxation due to their ingredients. Green tea is one type of tea which is said to have a calming effect due the fact that it has an amino acid called L-theanine. Chamomile herbal tea and “Tazo Calm Tea” are also said to be able to soothe and calm.
7. It has long been known that exercise has many benefits to ward off physical illness but it also can have a dramatic effect on our mental health. Exercise has been shown in multiple studies to increase feelings of emotional wellness and to decrease stress and anxiety. It also is a natural way to sleep better at night. I can tell you firsthand that I am much more relaxed and get a great night’s sleep when I exercise. Try to engage in exercise that you love so that you will be more motivated to do it frequently. For me a good bike ride is not only a good work out but provides me with a chance to enjoy the peacefulness of nature and the outdoors.
