Showing posts with label relaxation. Show all posts

5 Ways to Get Some Good Old Outdoor Relaxation

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, finding moments of tranquillity becomes essential for maintaining mental and physical well-being. Amid the concrete jungles and technology-dominated landscapes, the call of nature beckons, offering solace and relaxation. 

woman in nature

Here, I explore five invigorating ways to embrace the outdoors and rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul.

The Outdoor Pergola

One enchanting way to bring relaxation outdoors is through the use of the luxury pergola. These structures, often adorned with climbing plants and draping vines, create a serene and shaded space perfect for relaxation. Whether you have a small backyard or a spacious garden, a pergola can be customized to suit your needs. Equipping it with comfortable outdoor furniture, cushions, and perhaps even a hammock, transforms this simple structure into a personal oasis.

Meditate

Meditation has long been heralded as a powerful tool for stress reduction and mental clarity. Take your practice to the next level by immersing yourself in nature. Find a quiet spot in a nearby park, forest, or even your backyard. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and let the natural symphony of rustling leaves, chirping birds, and distant streams guide you into a state of deep relaxation.

Sensory Scavenger Hunt

Engaging all your senses is a fantastic way to unwind outdoors. Create a sensory scavenger hunt to fully immerse yourself in the natural world. Challenge yourself to find items that appeal to each sense, such as the fragrance of wildflowers, the rough texture of tree bark, the soothing sound of a babbling brook, the sight of a colourful butterfly, and the taste of fresh berries. This activity not only sharpens your awareness but also encourages you to appreciate the diverse sensory experiences nature has to offer.

Nature Journaling for Mindful Reflection

Nature journaling provides an avenue for introspection and mindfulness. Carry a notebook and pen with you on your outdoor excursions. Take note of the subtle changes in the environment, the patterns of wildlife, and your own emotions and thoughts. Sketching or jotting down your observations fosters a deep connection with the natural world. Over time, flipping through your nature journal becomes a reflective journey, capturing moments of tranquillity and personal growth.

Go Barefoot and Ground Yourself

The simple act of going barefoot can be a profound way to reconnect with the earth. Known as "earthing" or "grounding," this practice involves walking, sitting, or standing directly on natural surfaces like grass, sand, or soil. Studies suggest that this direct contact with the earth's surface can have positive effects on health, reducing stress and improving sleep. So, kick off your shoes, feel the cool grass beneath your feet, and let the earth's energy revitalize your spirit.

Wrap Up

Taking the time to embrace the outdoors is a powerful way to find balance and rejuvenate our senses. Whether through the tranquillity of an outdoor pergola, the mindfulness of nature journaling, or the simplicity of going barefoot, these activities allow us to pause, breathe, and connect with the world around us. So, step outside, and let the healing power of nature guide you toward a more relaxed and rejuvenated self.

10 Powerful Ways To Help You Relax

I think many of us have been feeling stressed recently, what with the pandemic, and worries about job security. It's been hard to be upbeat and focus on positivity, especially when restrictions on travel mean it's hard to plan for a breakaway.

So it's more important than ever to try and relax when you can. We all need downtime and relaxation has been proven to be beneficial to physical and mental health with effects on lowering blood pressure, reducing muscle tension and improving chronic pain.

Let's have a look at 10 powerful ways to relax in this modern age. This is an ad.

Walking in nature



To beat the January blues I think a walk in nature can't be beaten. Walking in nature has been shown to help relaxation and stress. The act of walking is automatic and can help you switch off from the daily stresses of life. Exploring the countryside can help us feel at one with nature, and appreciate the beauty around us. Walking in nature can be a lovely way to relax and feel refreshed. In fact, scientists have even found that looking at photos of nature with greenery for five minutes on your computer can support recovery from stress.

Controlled breathing

Controlled breathing is a breathing technique that can be learnt to help relieve stress, anxiety and panic attacks. It helps you refocus by listening to your breathing. Get comfortable and breath in gently for 5 counts then out for 5 counts. Check out this breathing exercise for more information here.

Yoga



Yoga is a mind and body exercise that combines physical poses, controlled breathing and meditation. You only need a yoga mat, and loose clothing and that's it, no expensive equipment is needed. There is much research to show the benefits of yoga on relaxation and a feeling of well-being. Check out simple yoga techniques on YouTube but seek out an instructor if you want to take it further. You may find that you enjoy it so much that you decide to do one of the best online yoga teacher training yoga alliance courses and have a go at teaching it yourself!

Relaxation Apps

If you are the sort of person that likes to be guided then there are a number of relaxation apps out there that you can download to aid with relaxation. Calm, Headspace and Shine are three well-known relaxation apps that are worth checking out. They usually have a combination of guided relaxation sessions and mediations including those to help you sleep. Some of these apps have a free trial so you can check them out first without spending any money.

Laughing

laughing friends

Laughing is a great release. Laughter and comedy can help with anxiety and depression, releasing the endorphins reducing stress and boosting the immune response. It's a great way to relax so try and build in time to your week to watch your favourite comedy films, listen to your favourite stand-up comedians on TV, YouTube or Blue-Ray or once in a while go to a comedy show. You will be happy and healthier for it.

Sex

Sex reduces stress and is a very underrated, fun and free way to relax. Sex is an aerobic activity that releases Serotonin in the body, the body feel-good hormone, and Endorphins, the body's painkillers. When you have an orgasm Oxytocin is released too which can help you sleep. So make time for this in your life, you will be grateful you did!

Pets

walking dog

Pets, especially dogs and cats have been shown to help stress. The act of stroking a pet can reduce your pulse and blood pressure and many studies on people of all ages have shown the companionship of having a pet can help reduce the feelings of loneliness. If you haven't got a pet yourself, make an effort to visit friends or family with pets or consider volunteering at your local pet shelter.

Music

Music can aid relaxation immensely, especially slow rhymic music. This type of music can have a beneficial effect on our physiological functions, slowing the pulse and heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the levels of stress hormones. For example, when I fly I listen to certain music that helps me relax, and this helps with my fear of flying. It's always worth making a playlist of songs that help you relax, to listen to in particularly stressful times.

Writing 

writing

Writing can mentally relax you by getting all your thoughts down on paper, or on a computer. This cathartic response helps you focus on your feelings and emotions, allowing you to process them and work through them with yourself. Journalling or keeping a diary can be another way of getting your thoughts and feelings down. It can also be helpful to reflect on your emotions.   

Talking

Talking about your thoughts and feelings to a friend or therapist is a powerful way to help you destress and help you relax. Knowing someone is listening can really help. Talking about pent-up feelings allows you to get your emotions out and knowing someone cares can make you feel instantly better in many circumstances. As they say 'It's good to talk', and many areas of psychology focus on talking therapies.

So here are 10 powerful ways to help you relax. Let me know if you have tried any of these. Which are your favourite tried and tested ways to relax?


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Top Tips To Relax And Unwind

We all lead busy lives, but as I have become older I realise it's so important to learn to look after yourself, and even more so if you are a caregiver too. So here are my top tips to relax and unwind. 

Go for a walk


Exercise has many benefits, including reducing your risk of major illness such as heart disease, strokes and cancer by up to 50%. Research also shows that exercise releases endorphins, the body's feel-good hormones, which helps improve sleep and reduces stress, so build in some time to go for a walk daily and you will reap the benefits before long. If you enjoy walking in the countryside then all the better as getting close to nature can really benefit you too.

Book a massage

A massage by a qualified masseur can relax you as well as improve skin tone, and even lower blood pressure research has shown. Also taking the time to spend it on yours
elf and having the treatment is beneficial to your mind as well as your body. Some simple massage techniques can be learnt, so you can even give yourself or teach your partner to do a good foot massage. 

Create a spa-style experience at home




Why not have a spa-style experience at home? Treat yourself to a face mask, pour yourself a glass of your favourite wine or sparkling soft drink, burn some Nag Champa incense and relax in a bath. A jacuzzi or whirlpool bath like the Carron baths with a whirlpool feature is the ultimate indulgence, so relax and let the warm water ease your worries away.

Listen to music

Relaxing music can really make a difference to our state of mind. It's always good to find some music that will help you relax, especially in stressful situations. I like to listen to relaxing music on a flight as I have a mild fear of flying.  If you pay for a streaming service like Spotify then you can search for playlists of relaxing tunes. If you want to recreate a spa-style experience at home, search for nature sounds like waves, bird song or even whale sounds to play.

Spend time with pets



Spending time with pets has a whole host of rewards. A pet like a dog wants and needs comfort, feeding and love and gives back lots of love and affection. Petting an animal has been shown to help lower blood pressure and animal therapy is widely used in care homes to help improve well being.

Try relaxation exercises

Relaxation exercises are easy to learn and can make a real difference to our body and mind. Check out relaxation videos on YouTube to learn the basic skills, or seek out relaxation technique audios that you can buy or download for free. A simple way of relaxing is to learn the technique where you go through your body from head to toe and tense and relax each group of muscles in turn.

Take up a relaxing hobby


A relaxing hobby doing something you enjoy can contribute to an overall feeling of well being whether that is painting, completing crossword puzzles, baking, gentle gardening or writing. The key is finding something you enjoy that isn't stressful.

Let me know, how do you relax and unwind?

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