Best Ways to Relax When There's No Time to Unwind
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When stress strikes during a busy day, here are fast, easy ways to unwind...
Tense and release your muscles. Ever notice how a rigorous workout leaves you feeling relaxed? Here's a
shortcut to attain the same state...
Exercises: Make a fist. Hold the tension in your fist for five seconds. Then slowly release it. Notice the
sensations. Try straightening your arm at the elbow. Feel the tightness throughout the muscles. Then slowly
bend your arm and release the tension. Curl the toes of one foot and stretch them... clench your jaw and then
relax it slowly... or open your mouth as far as you can, hold it there, and release.
Breathe deeply. Pull in your abdominal muscles to force air out of your lungs. Then relax and breathe in until
your lungs are completely filled. Let the air out slowly, and get into a rhythm of smooth breathing. Do this every
hour for about five to 10 minutes at a time and whenever you feel tension arising.
Change the way you talk to yourself. When we regret our actions, we agonize over them, imagining how we
might have done things differently and increasing our stress.
Ban words of regret, such as "should" and "if only," when you find yourself reviewing your behavior. This will
force you to focus on better actions to take next time.
Think opposite thoughts. When you hold onto feelings of anger, hatred or disappointment, you stir up other
negative feelings. Let go of such feelings by concentrating on thoughts of compassion and understanding.
Exercise: Sit quietly and take a few breaths. Close your eyes, and think about your negative feelings and at
whom or what they are directed. Then think about the opposite feeling. You'll relax almost instantly.
Leaning how to relax can greatly improve our health and well- being. That's why it's so important to find ways
to introduce more relaxation into our everyday lives. If we don't learn to manage stress, stress will manage
us, and we can become drained and exhausted.
All of us look for ways to counter stress on a regular basis, sometimes without even being aware of it. Some
of us go to the gym to work off stress. Others go to the pub and try to drink stress away. There are the couch
potatoes that zone out in front of the TV to eliminate stress. And then there are those who use smoking or
drugs as the answer. But drinking, smoking, or drugs are toxic and can be damaging to our bodies and mind.
The key to finding true relaxation is balance. If you are use to a hectic lifestyle, you may feel that relaxing might
make you lose your edge. You may also be addicted to the effects of adrenaline, and find it problematic to
relax. But remember our bodies can't remain on high alert all the time. It will eventually lead to burn out, and
possibly physical ailments.
So, the best time to discover how to bring more peace and relaxation into your life is before the lack of it
becomes a problem. Practice ways to relax anytime you get a chance, or whenever you feel the need to
release stress.
Here are some of my favorite relaxation positions. You've probably seen them before. Some variations are
used in yoga exercises, but I find the following four positions to be very helpful in reducing feelings of stress
and anxiety.
1. Legs across the chair
Begin by getting a chair. Now lay on your back on the floor, and place your legs on the seat in a sideways
position. Make sure the chair is right up against the bend in your knees. This is good for the lower back. It
also allows your whole body to let go of tensions and your muscles to begin to relax. Slow down your
breathing too. If you really want to go deep into this relaxation position, try covering your eyes with a moist
warm towel or cucumbers slices.
2. Bottom against the wall
Next, put the chair aside and move your buttocks up to the base of a wall and extend your legs straight up the
wall. Make sure your bottom is as close to the base of the wall as possible, and that the small of your back is
flat against the floor. You can place your arms straight out on either side, or just keep them by your sides.
Again, keep your breathing slow, or do some breathing exercises. The point is to do whatever feels most
relaxing to you. There's no right or wrong way.
3. Knees into the chest
Now bring your knees down close to your chest. Hold your legs to your chest with your hands if you can. That
really helps stretch the lower back. If it feels more relaxing to you, just keep your knees in a bent position as
close to your chest as possible. Close your eyes, breathe through your nose and breathe out through your
mouth. Do whatever makes you feel more relaxed.
4. Blanket under shoulder blades
Now here's the last one. Slowly move away from the wall. Don't jump up quickly. That's counterproductive to
everything you just did. Instead, roll over on your side, and use your arms to push yourself up into a sitting
position. Now take a blanket, towel or cloth and roll it into the shape of a log. Place it on the floor and lay back
on the cloth so that it's horizontally straight across your shoulder blades. You can increase the range of this
position by stretching your arms out on either side, tucking the small of your back against the floor, pulling
your knees up in a bent position and your feet flat on the floor. Most of our stress gets stuck in our neck,
shoulders and lower back. This relaxation position really helps to release the stress knots that can form in
those areas.
There you have it. Simple, easy positions to help release stress. Remember, when you're done, don't get up
quickly. Roll over on your side, and use your hands and arms to push yourself up into a sitting position, and
then continue to get up slowly. Do any or all of the positions whenever you get a chance, and share them with
a friend. To your health!
