Relaxation! We all need it, so why is it so hard to get it? Perhaps it has something to do with the hustle culture that we find ourselves in right now, where we seem to reward and admire people for working themselves into the ground. Of course, all work and no relaxation will make Jack (and you) a very grumpy boy. With that in mind, check out our suggestions on how to take some time out of your day for relaxation which you will find below.
Meditation time
One way you can take some time out of your day to relax is to practice meditation. There are many different forms of meditation you can try from moving meditations like Yoga and Tai Chi to sitting meditations like Vipassana. There are even guided meditations which take you on inner visualized journeys which can be both mentally and physically refreshing as well as help us gain an insight on our feelings.
Another form of meditation that can work particularly well for relaxing is known as Yoga Nidra. It’s very simple to practice as well. All you have to do is sit or lie down comfortably, and then move your awareness into different parts of your body in sequence. Some nidra meditations even include visualizing the inner workings of the body including the major organs such as the stomach, liver and eyes. It’s so relaxing because you are both resting physically but have somewhere to direct your thoughts and mind, so it can make it easy to switch off and end the meditation feeling refreshed.
To enhance your meditation, you might even want to recreate a spa-like setting in your own home to make it even more special and refreshing.
Tea time
Tea time is also a great way to find a moment or two in the day to relax. For many people, tea time is no more than throwing a bag in a cup of hot water and drinking the brew while doing something else. Yet, I encourage you to treat your own tea time as something more sacred. To truly stop and be mindful of the process of making your tea, the heat of it on your tongue and the distinct flavors each type of tea offers. In this way, a short tea break can be transformed from something mundane into a meditative-type activity.
Of course, your choice of tea is vital in this process as well, as many black teas have a high level of caffeine. There are plenty of less caffeinated, and more delicate options to choose from though, so why not treat yourself to some green or white tea for your next tea time?
TV time
Let’s be honest, most of us spend at least some time relaxing in front of the TV. It’s not hard to see why either with a myriad of captivating shows that take us right out of our lives, and into the exciting experience of the protagonist. Indeed, it is well known that some of the highest quality TV series being made today are offered on HBO Max.
Happily, you can find out how to get HBO max in your location quickly, and easily by clicking the link. Then you’ll be able to spend your relaxation time watching award-winning shows such as Chernobyl, Game of Thrones, and Succession.
Exercise time
Often we think of exercise as a way to stimulate ourselves and give ourselves more energy. However, it can also be an excellent way to relax for many. For example, lots of people find exercise helps them relax if they are anxious or stressed, with a range of different movement activities from weight lifting to running being described as ways of decompressing.
There are, of course, types of exercise that are specifically designed to help the body relax as well such as yoga. In particular look for classes IRL or online that state they are slow or restorative as these tend to be the keywords associated with more relaxing classes.
It can be hard to find the time to go to a physical class when you’ve got a lot of responsibilities, but if that’s something you want to do, there are ways to ensure it can happen. Why not check out a site like care.com to find out more about childcare, pet care, or perhaps care for an older relative, which would give you the time you need to do what you need (and want) to do?
Nap time
One activity that never fails to help me relax is to snuggle up under a fluffy blanket with a feathery pillow and take a good, long nap. Yep, that’s right, nap time is not just for the kids, and we adults can benefit from the occasional nap too.
There is plenty of advice online too, about the perfect length of time to nap for specific purposes. For instance, a power nap should be around 10-20 minutes. This will leave you refreshed enough to carry on with your day. However, a longer nap of around 45 minutes can help boost your cognitive process and creativity which is great if you have a particular project that you are working on.
1 comment
Meditation time… I need to re-incorporate that into my day and be more conscious of my mornings! Thanks for the extra motivation!