10 Proven Ways to Relax, Unwind & Destress
Quite often, our days are filled with work, appointments, and deadlines to beat. That is why at times you need a break! Yes, it is crucial to take time off and relax both your mind and body. It is good for your own health and productivity. Now, how do you take that much-needed break? Well, there are some scientifically-proven ways to clear your mind and relax your body. Here are some of the tops ones that you can try out:
Take a walk or run
If your job requires you to sit in the same environment for long hours, you might get easily fatigued. At the end of the day, there is no better way to relax both your mind and body than to take a walk or run when the sun has gone down. Science shows that running is one of the ways to reduce stress. It is known to help in reducing anxiety, boost moods, and keep the brain young. There aren’t many better ways to unwind and stay fresh than getting physically active!
Put your thoughts into writing
One of the best ways to engage your mind in a deeper way is to journal. Yes, journaling helps you in opening up to yourself about your honest and deepest thoughts. Psychologists say that the art of journaling alleviates worry, clears the mind, and aids in faster and more objective thinking.
The written word has a sense of permanence and helps you stay consistent and track your thoughts regularly. With journaling, you can note what you are grateful for and what is bringing you down. Hence, it will be easy to design plausible ways to find solutions.
Get a good massage!
A massage is another way to relax both your mind and body. A full body massage, for example, will take away your week-long fatigue and relax your body muscles. Studies show that massage is associated with relieving stress by lowering the hormones associated with tension and stress. A full body massage will come in handy when you need to stay calm and approach an engaging task.
Luckily, you don’t have to go out and look for the right pair of hands to massage you. You can get massage services from the comfort of your home at the end of a tough day to unwind.
Cook your favourite meal
Are you a sucker for great meals? Well, if that’s you who likes trying out new cuisines every so often, here’s your chance to thrive. Science shows that eating one’s favourite meals triggers the brain to release dopamine or the happy hormone. This explains why doctors say the brain and the guts are connected.
Now, cooking your preferred meal after a long day of work will help improve your moods, relax your mind and distract you from the boring routine. After your day at the office, get to the kitchen and do yourself some justice: cook your favourite meal!
Visualise your calm place
They say that happiness is a personal endeavour. Well, that’s more like it, as you can easily create a happy place by yourself. You do not have to wait for your savings to increase so you can take a trip to your dream holiday destination. All you need is to sit in a quiet place like inside your bedroom and visualize.
Imagine yourself sitting by the riverside, birds chirping over your head, and your legs dipped in flowing, cold water. Imagine looking around and smelling the scent of beautiful flowers. Look up at the sky and enjoy the azure. Yes, visualize your happiness and achieve it. It will help calm your mind and keep you relaxed.
Explore nature
There is something divine about natural settings in our world. The birds of the air, the crawling termites, wild animals, shrubs, name it. The wild has a way of taking us back to our natural selves.
If you take time to walk in a park or the bush, you will be set free from the distractions of everyday life. Breathing fresh and blowing air could be the one thing your body desires to release the tension. Take the walk today and help your body regain its energy.
Take a power nap
Well, a siesta is something that is overlooked but quite necessary. Once in a while, ensure you slot about fifteen minutes to take a nap to rejuvenate. Scientists have proven that sleep takes away the tension in your brain. It helps relax your nerves, improves blood circulation, and helps your muscles relax.
After having your lunch, you can relax for about twenty minutes. You can take a power nap and get back to work. It will help you stay afloat and energetic.
Read some books
Reading for fun is healthy for your brain and a necessary way of spending your free time. Let us get it right: reading can take you to worlds you have never been. If you love it, you can relax by grabbing a book. You get to meet characters that intrigue you, some of whom you like and others despise.
Reading a novel by your favourite author will undoubtedly transport you from the present distractions that are mind-boggling. It will also improve your grammar and communication skills, so next time you meet your demanding boss, you can turn down extra work courteously.
Tip: You can also try audio books.
Curate your favourite music
Music can take your mind and soul into realms of imagination. Science has shown that music is good for the soul and is a necessary relaxant of the mind. Music can give you that necessary nostalgia. You can reminisce about better days when you feel like you have a bad one. You can play your favorite music to elevate your mood as you drive from work. Perhaps you can have a playlist that will soothe you to sleep for a better outcome as you sleep.
Wrapping up
The daily hustle and bustle can be tiring but you can always find ways to de-stress and unwind. Just pick the things you love doing and have fun! It will keep you sane and productive!
