Stress is real and is very present in all of our lives. Although there is good stress (eustress), we are often buffeted by bad stress (distress) and this type can lead to many health and psychological problems.
When was the last time you rested, and we mean really rested? When was the last time you took an hour or a day to truly rest and relax? Has it been a while? You may be thinking of your night’s sleeping habits when it comes to rest, but we want to focus on relaxing apart from sleeping in this blog post.
In Mark 6:31 Jesus speaks about the importance of resting: And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. In this verse, Jesus speaks to His apostles and tells them the importance of retreating to a place to rest since there were many people coming to them and they didn’t have time to eat. We are sure many of you have experienced the same situation or are currently in this situation, but we not want you to become overwhelmed. We all need to rest from the struggles and stresses of life sometimes, so here are some relaxation tips to help:
- Schedule The Time: Review your schedule and see where you can fit in some time to rest and relax. You may need an hour or a few or a full day. According to your life schedule, you will have to decide how much and how often you need to take some relaxation breaks. If you are having trouble with this, speak to a health coach or counselor for assistance.
2. Set Your Electronics Aside: If you are glued to your phone and electronic devices, it is time to take a break from them. Put these off or place them on a silent mode so you can relax and avoid distractions.
3. Assume The Position: According to the posture you are most comfortable with. It may mean sitting up in a chair, laying down on a bed or soaking in a tub of warm water. When you find your spot, close your eyes and enjoy the moment.
4. Turn The Music On: Find soft, soothing and relaxing music to put your racing mind as ease. There are many free radio stations and YouTube channels that feature free musical pieces you will both love and enjoy.
5. Play Nature Sounds: Raindrops, beach waves and forest sounds are just some other options you can use when you want to relax and rest. You can purchase these or you can go to YouTube to find and save your favorites.
6. Breathing Exercises: Here are two simple breathing exercises you can also incorporate from the American Lung Association.
7. Use Imagery: Our imaginations are powerful tools. Guided imagery can help you visual a peaceful, calming environment that can put you at ease. According to your preference, you can find imagery videos that only has nature sounds or some where someone speaks throughout the video, guiding your thoughts.
There are many other ways to relax including napping, doing some gentle exercises and getting a massage. What other ways do you relax? Feel free to let us know.