Our lives are very often busy and stressful. When these pressures are being thrown our way, relaxation is a really effective tool for looking after our health.
Relaxation should be part of our daily routine not just something that we do on weekends or on holiday.
Relaxation doesn’t have to take up lots of our time. Just taking time away from our normal routines and thoughts can give us enough space and distance to feel calmer.
- Take a break – have a bath, read a book, play with a pet, cook
- Take a mindful walk in nature – be totally “in the moment”. Be aware of the physical sensations associated with what you are doing, how your heels feel on the ground etc. Notice what is going on around you. Feel any textures, fragrances or temperatures of things around you or anything you are holding. Notice how your body feels and what thoughts are in your mind.
- Listen to music
- Laugh
- Participate in social activities
- Get creative – paint, draw, dance, bake, play a musical instrument. Distracting yourself from worrying thoughts stimulates your senses and focuses your emotions.
- Turn your phone off for the evening – don’t check emails or social networks
- Attend a yoga or pilates class
- Exercise ( subject to GP approval )
- Practice breathing exercises
- Practice self hypnosis
Relaxation is defined as the state of being free from tension and anxiety. Many people regard relaxation as not being quite as stressed as they usually are and have either forgotten or do not know how to truly relax.
The main weapon that will help you to deal with stress/anxiety/fear is relaxation training.
If you learn how to relax your breathing and reduce your muscle tension, your mind will follow. Conversely if you learn to ease stressful thoughts and worry, your body will relax as well. The mind and body are inextricably linked.
It is highly recommended that you learn these exercises and practice them daily to improve their effectiveness and your own wellbeing.
There are numerous types of relaxation exercises but here are a few:
- DEEP BREATHING – when we feel stressed it is common for our rate of breathing to increase. We tend to breathe in a shallow manner. A deep breathing exercise allows us to take fuller, slower breaths that reflect a true relaxed state.
- VISUALISATION/IMAGERY – this gives our minds and bodies a mini holiday. It involves using imagery to fully immerse ourselves in a pleasant relaxing scene, noticing the sights, sounds, smells and tactile sensations.
- MINDFULNESS or MEDITATION – the deliberate and active use of our mind to improve our mind.
- PROGRESSIVE MUSCULAR RELAXATION – this involves sequentially tensing and relaxing the muscles in the body to lower overall tension and stress levels.
- SELF HYPNOSIS – I can teach you techniques to practice self hypnosis
I offer relaxation sessions on either a one-off or regular basis and also teach self hypnosis to enable you to benefit from the techniques at home.
In addition I offer relaxation sessions and self-hypnosis workshops to small groups.
Make the rest of your life the best of your life.
