In our busy and stressful, lives we often neglect to take care of our most important resource – ourselves. We look over our to do list and find that we aren’t even on it. Yet, an investment in ourselves will help us handle all those other to do’s. Over the next two weeks, pick one or more of the following relaxation activities, schedule them as you do your appointments, and practice them:
- Read something gentle, calming, and inspirational every night before going to bed. Read for at least fifteen minutes in a quiet place, but not in bed. Do not listen to the news while you’re reading or pick a book about the stock market. Instead choose lighter-content reading material.
- Listen to your favorite calming music for fifteen minutes. Lie down with your eyes closed and enjoy the music. Music can soothe your mind and lower your heart rate and blood pressure. If you need help falling asleep, find music with a sixty-beat-per-minute rhythm as this matches your resting heart rate and will help you slow down and lull you to sleep.
- Find a quiet place with a comfortable chair. Close your eyes and clear your head by releasing each issue or worry from your mind. Focus all of your thoughts on your breathing. Breathe deeply and slowly, following your body’s natural rhythm. Inhale relaxation and exhale stress. Do this exercise for fifteen minutes each day.
- Set out comfortable clothes before you leave for work to change into as soon as you get home. Have cozy slippers or your most comfortable shoes waiting at the door for you. Pay attention to creating physical comfort for yourself. Relax for a few minutes when you first arrive home by changing your clothes and taking time to unwind. Save tasks such as checking the answering machine or opening your mail until you’re settled.
- Write in a journal for fifteen minutes every day. You may choose to write about specific issues or perhaps you prefer to write in a nonstop stream of consciousness fashion. It is important not to censor your thoughts; just let words and ideas flow onto paper. You may be surprised at what comes from within. Do not be judgmental about yourself, merely notice what comes up for you.
- Get moving. Exercise can be a great method of relaxation. A brisk daily walk or some other form of exercise you enjoy will result in the release of serotonin in your body. Serotonin is a feel good hormone that can give you a natural high.
- Notice how often you laugh. Hearty laughter is a great medicine. Try to enjoy a good deep laugh every day. The chemicals secreted by your body during laughter calms your body and soothes your soul.
While these techniques can’t change all of the stressful aspects of your life, they certainly can reduce the negative impacts of stress on our body and minds. Try them and see for yourself!
