With our go-go-go non-stop crazy busy multi-tasking life style, we often take time we used to reserve for relaxing activities to check email, social media, and, well, other time wasters. (Just because we have access to this info at every waking moment - do we need it? That may be a rant for another day...) In order to be our best, isn't it important that we take care of ourselves? Shouldn't we do our best to rest, relax and find some inner peace to combat all the stress induced conditions so prevalent in our society?
I know, I know... it's not always feasible to indulge in a spa day or long vacation. So, what other options do we have? I was looking around online for some easy, inexpensive suggestions to help us relax at home.
Here are some ways to help reduce stress through relaxation that I found on WebMd:
1. Meditate. Ya, I'm not into meditation - at least, I didn't think I was. I thought I had to sit on a mat at the crack of dawn, in all white, cross my legs and try to clear my mind. Turns out, any seemingly mindless activity can be a great environment for meditation. Walking, knitting, drawing or painting - anything that allows you to focus on the present. Calm and deliberate thoughts. Try it anywhere.
3. Breath Deeply. Seems too simple, but simply taking a deep breath really can make a difference. Deep breathing helps to lower your heart rate. That alone can begin to set you at ease. Try this simple deep breathing exercise when you're feeling a little overwhelmed:
Try this: Let out a big sigh, dropping your chest, and exhaling through gently pursed lips, says Joan Borysenko, PhD, director of Harvard's Mind-Body Clinical Programs. Now imagine your low belly, or center, as a deep, powerful place. Feel your breath coming and going as your mind stays focused there. Inhale, feeling your entire belly, sides and lower back expand. Exhale, sighing again as you drop your chest, and feeling your belly, back and sides contract. Repeat 10 times, relaxing more fully each time.
4. Look Around You. And be mindful. The enemy of mindfulness is multi-tasking. When we bounce from activity to activity, conversations, texts, emails, tasks and errands, never really focusing on a single process at a time, you get overloaded and that contributes to your stress level. Examples the article gives include focusing on the things around you: the color, shapes and textures of flowers, focus on the sounds (my favorite are the wind chimes the hubster gave me for our anniversary!) and smells of the outdoors, the shapes and colors of a window display at the mall, anything that you can focus on and stay in the present. When you focus on the simple, your heart slows, breathe easier, and start to feel less stressed.
5. Drink Hot Tea. Many of us are coffee drinkers (thankfully, not me!), and coffee has been shown to raise the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. Go green - green tea! Need the caffeine fix? Try black tea. Get the caffeine fix without the stress raising cortisol.
6. Show Some Love. Social interaction - friendly conversation, giving your bff a hug, snuggling with your favorite furry boys (Riley and Riggs can cause stress, too... but laying with them and having them fall asleep on my lap is the best!), helps to lower your stress level immediately.
7. Try Self-Massage. Maybe it's not as good as getting your spouse to give you a full rub down, or paying for a day at the spa, but self-massage is a great way to provide some stress relief. From hands and fingers, to arms and feet, your own touch can be enough to slow the world down, and your heart rate, too.
8. Take a Time Out. When our kids get overly tired and cranky, they need something to help them reset and calm themselves. What do have them do? Time out. Sitting quietly to focus on what they've done, and really calm their temper. It works for adults too. Remove yourself from that which is causing your stress - if possible. A quiet room, step outside, or close your office door. Take a moment to refocus. Calm your breathing and remember "to everything there is a season." Slowing down isn't a sign of weakness, but can be a sign of focus and determination. A focuses, relaxed you will be more successful in the long run.
9. Try a Musical Detour. Music soothes the savage beast - and the stressed out you. Find a soothing tune to help lower that blood pressure and return you to the serene and calm you. Studies show that classical music does it best, but anything music that helps you to calm down will do. (Stay away from the mosh pit, that'll just get you all worked up again!)
10. Take an Attitude Break. Finding focal points that renew positive feelings can help to return your heart rate (and stress level) to a more comfortable place. Just a short break in thinking about what is causing your blood pressure to rise and refocusing on the things that make you smile, is enough to cool the jets and bring your stress levels down. A picture of your family, your favorite vacation spot, or even your favorite flower (mine are daisies - aren't they they friendliest flower?!) will do the trick.These are easy ways for us to take a time out any time we need to. Of course, there is nothing wrong with occasionally splurging on a mani/pedi with your daughter or best gal pal. (I have favorite places in Omaha and Lincoln!) And, sometimes for me, a good sweat fest is what I need to boost mood and relieve stress. Pushing my body to be stronger gives me a sense of inner peace. If you are looking for a place to get your sweat on, join me at my favs - Compete to work out with Ben and the gang and get some one-on-one attention, and Blue Moon (for Pump & Zumba).
Taking care of yourself is a great way to take care of others. When you are at your best, you are ready to take on the world. Take a moment to try these techniques out. I'll be sure to share more as I find them.
Enjoy what's left of your weekend!
<3 Jen
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