Five Ways to Relax and Re-Energize
Many people go through life feeling burnt out and fatigued. We want to use our psychology and biology to create systems so that we can have success. Let’s dig into how you can create action items to help you gain the benefits of relaxing.
RELAXATION VS. RESTING
Relaxation is an activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the antithesis to the sympathetic nervous system or your body’s stress response. Relaxing happens when you are conscious and awake. Gardening, mindful art, or even sitting outside and getting fresh air can help you tap into relaxation.
Many people are in a constant state of stress response without realizing it. It could be triggered by sitting in traffic, thinking about your to-do list, or even scrolling social media. This puts our body and mind in a state of perpetual stress, which keeps you from being able to recharge and calm down.
Resting, on the other hand, is when your mind and body are in a state of ease. When your body is resting and fully supported, and your mind is not activated, you are in a state of resting and recharging your physical body.
It’s not uncommon to be stuck in a permanent or semi-permanent state of fight or flight, which means that the actions you're taking throughout the day are triggering your stress response. This makes it difficult to calm down, which is what your body and mind need most.
When planning your day, determine which activities create a stress response and which promote a state of relaxation.
THE TOP 5 WAYS I RELAX & RE-ENERGIZE
Yoga
Yoga gets you out of your mind and into your body. By creating a synchronicity of breath, mind and body, your whole being enters a relaxing state. Oftentimes, if you’re consistently in a fight or flight state of mind, power yoga is a great way to get the tension out and end feeling fully supported, with a clear mind.
Massage
Massage can create an anchored state of relaxation. Whether you choose to get a massage or practice self-massage, you can release tension held in your muscles and set the stage for deep rest and relaxation.
Journaling
Start by outlining what you’re grateful for or envision things you want in your life. Try to enter a state of creating and envisioning on paper, which can feel joyous and exciting! You can support this activity by listening to classical music or nature sounds.
Quiet Time
We live busy lives with a lot going on, and it’s hard to access real silence. You can create your own quiet space by using headphones with noise cancellation. This way, take the quiet with you as you clean, meditate, take a walk, or garden. Do whatever feels good to you.
You Time
This is time when you can flow without judgment and without a specific goal. This time will really depend on what makes you feel best. The important thing is to create a space just for you when you have absolutely no other responsibilities.
The big key is to identify what activities send you into a stress response and how you can balance that in what you choose to do to relax. Good morning and evening routines can help set you up for success and maintain a stress-free state of mind throughout your day.