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How to relax and unwind the stress time bomb

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Relaxation

It happened again this year. And after you promised yourself it wouldn't! You came back from vacation exhausted. While it's true you were away, you left your cell phone on so you weren't completely disconnected from the office. You may have been sitting on the beach enjoying the gentle lapping of the waves when the irresistible ring of your cell phone pulled you back to your fifty week reality. And at times the vacation itself seemed like a forced march. The amusement park with its crowds, the pre-arranged dinner at 7:00 with friends, the mandatory trek to the local tourist attractions: And so it went, every minute planned! Now you're back at work facing the weekly routine. The kids are back in school with all their requisite activities. Is there no break?

Just as a reminder, the American Heritage Dictionary defines relaxation as: "Refreshment of body or mind; recreation: A loosening or slackening". And yet as a whole, we Americans seem almost incapable of practicing the art of relaxation. Because of our busy, stressful lives many of us have lost the ability to release ourselves from the tensions we carry with us. Financial issues, family tension or conflict, health concerns, loneliness, job uncertainty, upheaval or change all take their toll on our peace of mind

Routine stress may seem mitigated while we are away; but relaxation is not just the absence of stress or a change of surroundings. Relaxation is the ability to get into a peaceful inner space where even the specter of fears and concerns can be banished - if even for a short time. And it doesn't require an exotic location or have to wait until we've "earned" another vacation! It can be as simple as making the time to soak luxuriantly in the bath with relaxing music or a leisurely walk in a tree-lined park.

If you think that relaxation is a luxury you can't afford, think again. According to the National Institute of Mental Health,

"The continuing pressure of everyday life takes a heavy toll on the physical and mental well-being of millions of people each year. Medical research into the origins of common diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, ulcers, and headaches shows a connection between stress and the development of such ailments. In the area of mental health, stress frequently underlies emotional and behavioral problems, including nervous breakdowns"
How to Relax and Unwind the Stress Time Bomb
The secret to relaxation is really simple. Find new and different activities that give you pleasure for their own sake rather than as a goal or something for which to strive. For example, if you are into running, do it because it immerses you in the act of running and the pleasure you feel after an intense work-out. Below are some suggestions to explore.
  • Look into community activities available through recreation departments, adult education or volunteer opportunities.
  • Get regular exercise. It doesn't have to be strenuous. It is important that it be something you will look forward to each day, whether it is a walk or bicycling, dancing, swimming or gardening.
  • Try mental exercises that can create a sense of peace and tranquility such as meditation, breathing and progressive relaxation exercises. Try reading an absorbing book or losing yourself in music.
  • Explore your creative or artistic side with painting, writing, cooking, etc. These activities can give you a sense of accomplishment as well as provide you with relaxation.

Once you have discovered what works best for you, practice it daily for at least a half an hour. Commit yourself to it with enthusiasm and don't hold back. You are constantly meeting external deadlines. This is an internal one for your health and well-being. Remember without that, nothing else is possible.

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Top Tips for Relaxation

  1. Remember what happens to you internally when you are stressed.
  2. Recognize the physical and mental signs of relaxation.
  3. Begin all relaxation techniques with deep breathing exercises.
  4. Try progressive muscle relaxation for transitioning to and from stress.
  5. Use muscle scanning exercises to remove stress from your body.
  6. Apply differential relaxation exercises in the car or at your desk.
  7. Create the Benson Technique atmosphere in a quiet, secluded area.
  8. Develop deep muscle relaxation skills with the help of sound, smell, touch and taste sensations.
  9. Employ mind imagery before going to bed at night to gain restful sleep.
  10. Investigate other relaxation methods such as: Yoga, Meditation, Self Hypnosis, Massage, and Exercise.

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