Step Four - Relaxation
Relaxation is often seen as a luxurious indulgence but it actually serves a very vital role in maintaining good health. Without relaxation, we would not be able to cope with any activity or stressful experience that comes with living. Your body needs to rest every day to repair all the damage that living has generated. It also enables the body to restore energy levels, restock on resources and dispose of harmful toxins. The busier your life, the more important relaxation becomes. Like any machine, the body has bits that get worn down or break when the pressure gets too great and it also needs time out for service, repair and refueling. It is well worth making time for quality relaxation and a good nights sleep, it will make you feel like there are more hours in the day as your energy levels will be so much higher.
TIPS:
- Massage is a great way to relax. See a professional or do a bit at home on your legs and arms. The key is to always make strokes towards the heart as this breaks up toxins and clears them out through the circulatory system. For real indulgence, get a Tens machine, this will do the massage for you, how restful is that?
- Take micro relaxation breaks. You don't need to take time out to get some sort of break, deep breathing is the body's main way of relaxing and you can do this anywhere. Take 4 or 5 deep breaths while you are waiting at red traffic lights, in the supermarket queue, in a meeting, grab a few anywhere, you will really notice the difference in your energy levels.
- Create a sanctuary space. This can be anywhere, in the bedroom, garden, bathroom, somewhere where you can escape for a few minutes to calm down. Keep it clutter and kid free and make it comfy.
- Take time to daydream. Get yourself comfy, close your eyes and imagine you have just woken up in your perfect world. What does it look like, how do you feel? Then take yourself through a perfect day as if it were in real time. What are you going to do, with whom? At the end of the day, tell yourself you will be back soon, stretch and open your eyes. If you do this often enough, you will find that when you are stressed such as in a traffic jam, a little picture of your perfect world will pop into your head and instantly calm you down. You will also begin to realize that some things in the dream are actually achievable or already exist but sadly, neglected.