A few helpful relaxation techniques can save your life because stress is more than just unpleasant, it’s also dangerous to your health. Disciplined habits such as meditation can help reduce that stress, but what if you don’t have the time or motivation? Maybe you can try a few of these simple ways to relax.
- Hug someone. Giving a hug means getting one. As long as it’s from somebody you don’t mind hugging you, this really can be relaxing.
- Interrupt routines. Go talk to that guy resting on the bench, or eat lunch on the roof. Just doing anything that breaks you out of your habitual patterns can relieve stress.
- Have a hot shower. It relaxes your muscles, and any break from more stressful activities can help too. Some find that an alternating hot and cold shower is even more relaxing. For me, the ultimate in relaxation is Epsom salt baths.
- Try watching your mind. Spot the stressors prowling just below the surface (hunger, worry, a phone call you to need to make), and you can resolve them and feel more relaxed. If you practice this mindfulness exercise, it may become one of your favourite relaxation techniques.
- Try laughing. Your own experience shows that this helps you relax, right? Go find a gal that knows all the best jokes, or find something funny in front of you. I always stick Michael McIntyre on when I need a good laugh.
- Use relaxing music. Keep your favourite relaxation CD at work, in the car, or wherever you’ll need it most. You can even listen to binaural beats which you can learn more about here.
- Leave the room for a while. This can really help if something in the room is triggering your stressful thoughts. Why not get out for a little while?
- Breathe deeply. Try five deep breaths through your nose. Close your eyes and pay attention only to your breathing while doing this. It’s like a mini-meditation, and perhaps the most effective of the quick relaxation techniques. You can learn more about meditation for beginners here.
- Drink some chamomile tea. Chamomile tea seems to have a calming effect on the nerves. Although, any hot tea without caffeine may be relaxing (hello chrysanthemum tea).
- Walk a while. If you have at least ten minutes to spare, walking is one of the best relaxation techniques. While you’re at it, find a pretty place to walk.
Of course, it is ideal if you can make it so that you’re naturally more relaxed all of the time. Perhaps the thought of the work involved in this just stresses you more. In that case, you might have to take it slow, so why not start with one or two of the simple relaxation techniques above? Don’t see it as a chore, this is about your relaxation. If these tips don’t help to relax you, find something that does and enjoy!
Kelly Winter is a self-care guru from Stockport, Cheshire. You can contact her here at www.theimperfectcactus.com, on Instagram (@TheImperfectCactus), Facebook (@TheImperfectCactus) or on Twitter (@ImperfectCactus). ‘The Guide to Boosting Self-Esteem‘ is Kelly’s debut self-help guide which is available on Amazon.
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