Do you ever find yourself bogged down with the day-to-day routine or overwhelmed by your schedule? Maybe you just need to relax. Hmph! Easier said than done, amIright? Well, when it comes to finding ways and time to relax, easier is often better. In as little as 5 minutes, you can practice a simple strategy for relaxation that can refuel your body. Check out this guide to relaxing and free your mind from stress.
Tips for relaxing…
- Just Breathe. Sit still, close your eyes if you feel comfortable, and breath. Concentrate on counting evenly between each inhale and exhale. For example, breathe in for 4 counts and our for 4 counts. Another strategy is to breathe in for a shorter count than your exhale…this can force you to calm yourself down without much effort. Pay attention to the rise and fall of your chest, think about what’s happening inside your body. In a word, be mindful. Do this exercise with purpose and readily notice how you feel afterwards. Check out this resource for breathing methods.
- Loosen Up. Often, if you’re feeling stressed mentally, you will also feel some physical stress. Try sitting or lying still, then make tight fists for a count of 3 and gradually release for a count of 6. Repeat this method with other areas on your body, like your face, neck or shoulders. Again, be mindful and notice which area of your body needs the most work.
- Take Notes. One of the best ways to get things off your chest is to journal. Sometimes, getting your thoughts and feelings down on paper can symbolize you letting go of them. It can be as simple as making a few notes each evening about your stress level or how the day’s events played out. If you’re feeling creative, write or type longer entries that you can read over later to help you overcome the stress you’re feeling and see how you’ve grown, mentally.
- Make Lists. This is one of my favorite methods for relaxing. You can make a list for basically anything! You can focus on things you are grateful for, things you frustrated with or things you need to get accomplished. If you are feeling stressed and need to relax, making a list can help you feel more in control and give you concrete things to concentrate on.
- Picture It. Mental visualization is an amazing way to relax your body and mind. All you have to do is sit still and daydream…what could be easier than that? Some people have a specific place that they like to imagine, and some make up their ideal “happy place”. I like to focus on a specific beach I visited and I replay my mornings walking out to the ocean with my coffee. I visualize the mug I used, the smell of the coffee, the feel of the crab grass I stepped through, the roughness of the pebbled concrete on the pier, the color of the Adirondack bench, the smell and sound of the ocean…the list goes on. Fulfill all of your senses in this visualization. Be sure to calmly release yourself from your daydream and be mindful of how you feel when do so.
Take it easy…
When it comes to relaxation, we all know it is easier said than done. The most important thing is for you to make a conscious effort to find the time to insert relaxation into your life. Aim for once a week at first if you’re already feeling overwhelmed by your lack of time. Ideally, you should find time to relax daily…I mean, its only 5 minutes, right? You are worth it and you deserve to spend time to relax on focusing on yourself.
