The modern pace of life is fast and loaded. It’s quite easy to find a situation when your work inbox is full of unanswered emails, the deadline for the project was yesterday, and your dog has a vet appointment. All these things require your undivided attention, so no wonder your stress level can skyrocket and you can get closer to burnout.
That is why relaxation and mindfulness are hot topics now. With so many tasks to perform in a day and so many external factors influencing our perception of life, we desperately need a way (or ways) to stop, take a deep breath, and think. Relaxation helps us preserve our body and mind from more damage and pay more attention to what we find important. Here are some proven methods for cooling down.
Breathe
One of the first things that come to mind when we think about relaxation is breathing exercises. It’s an easy technique to calm down and lower the body tension quickly. Deep controlled breathing can also effectively fight anxiety and panic attacks. The simplest exercise is to inhale through your nose while slowly counting to three, then hold your breath for a second, and breathe out to the same count. Then you repeat it until you feel relaxed.
Get some massage
Since our mental and physical states are tightly connected, you can feel physical tension as a result of mental stress, and vice versa. To soften your muscles and reduce the soreness, you can go to a massage session. Massage means physical relaxation, but your mind will become clearer and less anxious. To maximize the experience, you can opt for some exotic and fancy spa or massage centers. For example, if you love to travel and want to relax while being far from home, you can search for a massage parlour in Abu Dhabi or other cities where the specialists can help you cool off.
Meditate
Meditation is another popular way to get relaxed. Usually, it includes breathing exercises, relaxed poses, and a clear mind. By a clear mind, we understand focusing on one thing and getting rid of all other thoughts. Some people focus on mantras like the Om mantra, others pay attention to their physical signs like pulse or breath. There is no definitive length for it, but usually, such sessions last from five to 20 minutes. Please note that meditations are not suitable for everyone, so it’s better to start small.
Connect with the nature
This method will be especially helpful for those who live in urban areas. Big city life can be overwhelming, so finding yourself some time to spend around nature can be curing. The simplest option here is going to the nearest park and just walking around. You can choose a book or a playlist for entertainment or just focus on nature completely by listening to birds and watching the sun reflect on the water.
If you are a more risky person and want to get away from the city as far as possible, you can choose camping or hiking. And if you don’t want to leave your comfy house, you can just watch the pictures or videos of nature. Yes, it also works!
Eat the right food
They say “you are what you eat,” and it works for stress relieving too. Some food contains the necessary elements that can help you feel happier. For example, a bar of dark chocolate can lower your stress and enlighten your mood. Another good option is a cup of green tea. Besides benefiting from L-theanine, a stress-relieving chemical, the green color can also work as a calming factor. And citrus, of course: Oranges, lemons, and grapefruit are musts for fighting stress.
Wrapping it up
As Mika once said, “Relax, take it easy.” This phrase has become especially important these days. We are surrounded by the negativity that can affect our mindset and physical state. By using the advice we mentioned above, you can find inner peace and lessen the effect of distressing factors. Feel free to try everything from this list and find the way that works best for you.
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