To relax means to be less tense or stressed. It means calming the mind and the body. As we know, going through our day-to-day activities can be quite stressful and demanding.
With a lot to do and meet up with, it’s can be quite difficult to relax. Relaxing is not just needed for the body because you’re tired.
Relaxing the mind is as important as relaxing the body. One can be sleeping and still feel tensed because the mind isn’t relaxed.
So many times I have told myself I want to relax and even try to convince myself I am relaxed but at the end of the day, I realize how jumpy and uneasy I am within because I am not truly relaxed.
WHY DOES IT SEEM DIFFICULT TO RELAX THE BODY AND MIND?
I am sure many of us can relate to this and the big question is why?
Two simple words that often explains why would be: Anxiety and Overwhelmed!
I believe it’s safe to say Anxiety and Overwhelm are often the enemies of relaxation.
Anxiety is one big stressor for the mind. Always thinking of what is to be done, afraid of what might go wrong, not sure of the outcomes of events, having pending projects and deadlines to meet, etc affects the mind.
Overwhelm on the other hand which most commonly means to cause to be overcome with emotion as a result of an amount of something (work, stress, etc.)
Even though you might be sleeping or resting, if you don’t consciously declutter your mind, you might remain stressed and relaxation might not be possible.
Irrespective of your work type, schedule, and lifestyle, it is important to find time to relax to stay refreshed and energized to carry out your daily activities else you might as well just be inefficient.
You can decide when to carry out a relaxation routine. It could be daily, weekly or monthly, depending on the ease and time available to you.
Some relaxation techniques like breathing exercises and stretching are quick and fast. Others like vacations and road trips take time and need planning. Be sure to go for what works for you at the moment.
Here are a few ways you can relax and unwind from the stress and tension life brings.
13 EASY WAYS YOU CAN RELAX YOUR MIND AND BODY
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Breathing Exercises
Simple breathing exercises like taking deep breaths in and out has more therapeutic effects than we are aware of. Taking deep breaths helps you to calm down and fight through anxiety. It can help ease you of tension as you go about your daily activities.
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Listening to music
Beyond fun and entertainment, music is also a relaxing technique. Listening to your favourite tracks has a way of calming you down and cheering you up. Different people appreciate different music. Select songs that help you relax and create a playlist. You might need to listen to these songs more than you know it.
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See a movie
What better way to relieve stress than seeing a movie, especially romantic or comedy movies. There are a lot of movies that are enjoyable and can make you laugh. This might be what you need to feel calm.
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Talk with a friend
Talking to a friend always helps. A friend understands you and knows your peak moments. Talking to someone who cares helps you relax because you’re at ease and comfortable with the person you are talking with.
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Visit a friend
If you spend most of your time working and confined to a particular space or routine, visiting a friend might be the change in the environment you need to help you relax.
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Dance
You don’t need to know all the steps before you can dance. Dancing is a form of exercise. Exercises are known to improve your mood and make you feel better. You don’t have a regular fitness plan? You can always dance to your favourite beats and see how drastically your mood will improve.
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Treat yourself to your favourite food
Eating good food can never not be fun. Treating yourself to your favourite food can make you happy and improve your mood. It is one way to relax from stress.
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Take a walk
With the busyness of our everyday life, loud music, vehicle horns, traffic jam, meeting a lot of people, etc. There is usually a lot of noise to contend with. Noise in itself can cause stress. Taking walks on quiet evenings when the bustling and hustling of the day has died down helps you to relax. It’s even more relaxing if there’s a way to connect with nature.
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Go shopping
For a lot of people, there is a kind of joy that shopping brings. It’s all fun and excitement. If going shopping makes you happy, then it can help you relax.
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Sleep
If sleep doesn’t help you relax, what else will? Sleeping is one sure way to relax and recharge after every stressful day. It gives you the much-needed energy to go about your day. You should invest in having a good sleeping pattern. Your stress level is likely to reduce when you sleep well.
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Do something you love
Relaxing is all about feeling calm. If doing something you love helps you stay calm, what’s stopping you? Write, design, cook, bake, sing. Do anything, as long as you’re letting go of stress.
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Road trips
Road trips involve travelling. But this time, the goal is not the destination but the journey. You can do this alone but it’s better to do it with friends. A road trip can be fun. You can come back feeling refreshed.
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Vacations
Vacations will do you a lot of good. If you can not afford your dream vacation right now, you can always improvise until you can. As long as you relax afterwards, it doesn’t matter where you have your vacation.
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Talk to your favourite person
There is always that one favourite person you want to share everything with. If talking to that person gives you the thrills and chills, go ahead and relax as much as you need to.
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Hangouts/Sleepovers with friends
You never know how much effect your friends have on you. Spending time with your friends is a sure way of relaxing.
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Spa sessions
One proven way to relieve stress is through massages. Having a good massage can be more relaxing than you think.
Conclusion
Relaxing is not limited to these techniques. As long as it helps you stay calm and less tense, you can do anything to help you relax. It is not about how expensive your plans are. It is more about finding the technique that works for you at every given time depending on your stress level. While you can do the ones that are less expensive or time-consuming, you can always plan for others. In all, ensure you constantly declutter and let out stress.
Thanks for reading guys. Kindly leave your comments below and don’t forget to share.
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