9 Tips to Help You Relax

Are you relaxing enough?  If you're not taking a little time each day to relax, your physical and mental health can be adversely affected.  This post includes 9 tips that will help you relax.

Benefits of relaxation
Relaxation can:

• Reduce your blood pressure 
• Decrease muscle tension 
• Help you sleep better
• Help your mind focus better
• Reduce negative emotions like anger, crying, anxiety, frustration
• Decrease headaches and pain
• Help give you better perspective
• Rejuvenate you
• Give you some time away from daily stress, worries and problems
• Help you solve problems
• Help stimulate creativity
• Increase your resolve to be healthy, eat right and exercise

Ok, I understand you don't live in a tropical paradise.  It's probably difficult for you to just shut out the world and enter into your own little private sanctuary.  There are effective ways for you to relax regardless of your current surroundings or situation. Here are 9.

Tips for relaxation

1. Exercise.  If you are feeling stressed out, one of the best things you can do is go for a run or hit the gym. Although you may feel more inclined to veg out in front of the TV to relax, exercise is great for releasing mood-boosting chemicals such as endorphins and anandamine, which can help to lower anxiety and increase mental wellbeing. As well as having a great effect on your mood and stress levels, exercise is also good for taking your mind off problems and helping to induce sleep. (from realbuzz.com)
2. Take deep breaths.  If you are short on time, one of the quickest ways to relax is to take a few deep breaths. Anxiety can cause people to breathe more rapidly than normal and taking deep, slow breaths can be an effective aid to relaxation. If you are frequently feeling anxious or stressed, it can be helpful to implement deep breathing in to your regular routine by doing breathing exercises regularly or joining a yoga, Pilates or meditation class; all of which use deep breathing to promote relaxation and wellbeing.  (from realbuzz.com)
3. Listen to music.  Many of us are aware that listening to our favourite music puts us in a good mood, and studies have now found that music is also good for reducing stress. Various studies have indicated a strong link between music and lowered stress levels in everyday life, while research has also indicated that music can lower extreme levels of stress in people undergoing surgery, critically ill patients and pregnant women. Rather than seeking out "relaxing" genres of music, it is best to go with your individual taste and choose whatever type of music boosts your mood.  (from realbuzz.com)
4. Meditate.  A few minutes of practice per day can help ease anxiety. “Research suggests that daily meditation may alter the brain’s neural pathways, making you more resilient to stress,” says psychologist Robbie Maller Hartman, PhD, a Chicago health and wellness coach.  It's simple. Sit up straight with both feet on the floor. Close your eyes. Focus your attention on reciting -- out loud or silently -- a positive mantra such as “I feel at peace” or “I love myself.” Place one hand on your belly to sync the mantra with your breaths. Let any distracting thoughts float by like clouds.  (from WebMD)
5. Try guided meditation.  Guided meditation is a form of Autogenic relaxation. Autogenic means something that comes from within you. In this relaxation technique, you use both visual imagery and body awareness to reduce stress.  I've tried this method many times, and it is really calming and effective.  If you're an iphone/ipad/ipod user, go to podcasts and search for "guided meditation" and you'll find a bunch.  Some of my favorites are Meditation Oasis, The Meditation Podcast, Joseph Clough, and Meditation Society of Australia.  Non podcast users can just Google these and they will have alternative ways to access their materials.
6. Pray.  It's another form of meditation, but if you believe in a higher power such as God like I do, pray to Him.  Thank Him for everything He's done for you.  Request His help for things you might need.  Try to feel a connection to His spirit.  I admit that since I'm in the daily habit of praying morning and night, it can get a bit routine.  But make time to have open, honest, spiritual communication and you'll feel more peaceful.  
7. Pamper yourself.  One of the best - and most luxurious - ways to unwind is to treat yourself to a spot of pampering. If your budget allows, head to a health spa or beauty salon for a massage, facial, pedicure or beauty treatment of your choice. Alternatively, you could indulge in a bit of DIY pampering by running yourself a bath, lighting some candles and lying back with a relaxing facemask and some calming music.  (from realbuzz.com)
8. Keep a gratitude journal.  People like to write down what they’re grateful for. This is especially helpful for relaxing. “When we’re stressed, we tend to focus on everything that is going wrong, which makes it even harder to unwind,” said Natasha Lindor, a career coach. She suggested writing down the top three good things that happen to you today.  (from World of Psychology)
9. Turn off all electronics.  Turn it ALL off.  TVs, smart phones, tablets, video games, home phones - whatever other digital distractions you might have, for a period of time.  Use the time to take a nap, meditate, pray, or just rest without thinking about your cares or worries.  

Try some of the tips above, or try something else.  The point is to have some down time, some ME time, each day to unwind and relax.  It will help your health, and it will help you be a better person.

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