Relaxing to Stay Healthy
How do you relax? Do you read a good book? Write or journal? Take calming lavender baths? Watch a good movie? What about listening to soothing music? Or do you practice some mindful meditation? Do you find exercising relaxing? There are all kinds of ways to relax our body, mind, and spirit. Unfortunately, I don’t mean plopping yourself down in front of the TV for hours every night. We need to purposefully and intentionally relax. In today’s stressful, fast-paced schedules, mindful relaxing is needed now more than ever, especially when it comes to staying healthy.
It’s true that there aren’t any guidelines on how much time we need to relax, but at the same time, we know we need to make time to relax in order to stay healthy. Daily stress makes our muscles become so tense, our heart rate increases, along with many other physiological body actions. Our bodies react with the “fight or flight” response. We all know when we are in this “fight or flight” mode for too long, it means trouble for our health.
Some quick ways to relax
Ø Deep breathing: I write about using the 4-7-8 breathing technique as a way to detox the body, but this technique also works great for de-stressing and relaxing. Very simply, you inhale for 4 seconds. To be sure you are doing this correctly, your stomach and diaphragm should be filling first, pushing outward, then filling your chest. Then, hold your breath for a count of 7 seconds. Finally, release that breath slowly through your mouth for a count of 8 seconds, first emptying your chest, then diaphragm.
Ø Pet your dog, cat or pet. This action, when done for about 15 minutes, can lower the stress hormone cortisol.
Ø Personal, human touch: Hold someone’s hand, give someone a hug, or get a 10-minute massage. Human touch releases serotonin, which lowers the heart rate and blood pressure, making you feel more relaxed.
Ø Take a quick 10 to 20 minute “time-out”. Whether you take a nap, meditate, or just sit in nature. It will be well worth it.
Ø Stuck at work? Take advantage of your breaks and lunch time. Bring headphones, find a bench or not-so busy area, and listen to some music you like, a funny comic, or a daytime guided meditation. You may even find your production to be much better!
Ø Get more magnesium! Use our Magnesium Oil Spray to greatly increase the magnesium stores in your body. Did you know anxiety is a sign of magnesium deficiency? When I am feeling anxious, I literally spray as much of my body as I can! I spray my tummy, my arms, my legs, shoulders, and the back of my neck. If I find I am really bad, I spray myself every 20 minutes. Our HHN Magnesium Oil Spray helps to replace the mg stores in our body fast because when we are stressed or anxious, we burn through these stores very rapidly. You may want to take an extra magnesium supplement, like Magnesium L-Threonate. This mg supplement crosses the blood brain barrier where the need for magnesium is very high, the brain.
When all is said and done, get serious about making time to relax. Make it mindful and intentional. Learn the things you can perform to relax that works for you. Then, implement them…often. Read more in my latest book, Changing the Generations. My Journey to Holistic Living.