5 Ways to Relax

At the end of the work day it can be difficult to relax due to all the things that need to get done including chores, making dinner, and taking care of the family. However it's important that we remember to take care of ourselves as well. It's easy to get burnt out but if we make time for ourselves to relax, we will have the strength to continually press forward each and every day. Take a look at your week days, know your patterns and schedule time for yourself to relax. Here are my 4 ways to relax.

1. Light Exercise

This may seem contradictory but hear me out. It's not about the exercise itself, it's about the way you feel during and after the exercise. For instance, whenever I do yoga after work I feel the tension and stress diminish, leaving me refreshed and renewed.

This is because I'm in the moment. I'm not thinking about those things that are causing me stress but rather thinking about what I'm doing as I'm doing it. All the while, I increase the production of endorphins (the feel-good neurotransmitters) in my body. As this increases both I and my body feel better simultaneously.

2. Enjoy Nature

We live in a world filled with so much beauty and yet we don't take enough time to enjoy it. There is a sense of awe when we do things out in nature such as camping and hiking. And fortunately, we don't even need to take a hike to enjoy nature daily.

It can be simple as taking a picnic in our front or backyard, watching the sunset, looking at the stars or taking a drive. There is a sense of calmness that comes about when we are out in nature, allowing us to relax.

3. Alone Time

At the end of the work day, it is good to recharge with some alone time. We need to take this time to do something we like to do.

We can do things such as taking a hot shower, engaging in hobbies, taking a power nap, meditating, listening to music or watching our favorite shows. This is our time to do whatever we want and it helps with shaking away that stress and tension we have been feeling.

4. Family/Friends

The wonderful thing about family and friends is that they are always there for us in the happy moments and the bad. We are all in this together!

They help us to forget our worries and to instead enjoy every precious moment. They help us to laugh, get out of our comfort zones and be uplifted. It's important that we take time for our family and friends!

5. Use your 5 senses

Think about those things that are calming to you. What do you enjoy seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching? Do you love warm blankets and the smell of lavender? Simple things that we love can be used greatly to our advantage. They can help calm our mind and relieve us of tension.

Personally, I love to take a hot bath while listening to music and smelling the oils from my diffuser. However, every person is different. You may love to run in the morning with the crisp air while listening to music. That's the wonderful thing about this. You can tailor it to yourself!

My friends, I know it can be tough to relax, but we need to do it! Especially in these scary times with COVID-19. natural disasters of all kinds and a divided country, we need to recharge in order to power through our daily lives. And to not just power through them but to also enjoy them. We need to allow ourselves to shake away stress so we can move forward with a clear mind. We owe it to ourselves to do this; it is apart of our self-care needs! Always remember that you deserve to feel better.