Look at a pet when it’s resting. Its body is completely free of tension, its brain switched off and the whole body has gone into a kind of peace-mode. It is too bad that many human beeings have lost the ability to do this, because they live stressful lives. So here is some help to relearn it.
Not everbody has time or money to travel somewhere when you need a break. Of course, a vacation at a beautiful place like Dubrovnik in Croatia helps to calm down, but there are also other ways to put yourself in a relax mode.
Planned relaxation minimize anxiety and helps your body and mind to recover from daily rush and stress. Music, a long bath with a fragrant bath salt, or a walk in the park work wonders for some people, but for others it is not that easy. If you feel you can’t learn to relax without someones help, try a relaxation or meditation class. Ask your GP, or search at your local library or internet for informations about these.
Here’s an example:
1.You need a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted.
2.Do a few gentle stretching exercises at the beginning.
3.Make yourself comfortable, no matter what postition, sitting or lying down.
4.Close your eyes, breathe slowly and deeply, in a calm and facile way.
5.Gently tense and then relax each part of your body. Start with your feet and work up to your face and head.
6.Think of warmth, heaviness and relaxation after you’ve focused on each part of your body.
7.Push all distracting thoughts aside, imagine them floating far away.
8.Don’t try too hard to relax; just let the tension in your muscles go and allow them to become relaxed.
9.Let your mind become empty. Many people find it helpful to visualise a calm, peaceful and beautiful place such as a garden, meadow or a beach with palms.
10.Stay like this for around 20 minutes. Then take a few deep breaths and open your eyes, but stay in you position (sitting or lying) for a few moments before you get up.
The example which is offered here is a ‘quick fix’. You can use it in two different ways: to fight a crisis in its early stages or use as a reload two or three times a day.
But it’s best to make time to practise a more thorough exercise on a regular basis. By the way, some Dubrovnik hotel offer very good wellness and massage treatments which can help to relax.
This 10-step exercise can be used even at your desk. If you’re working in an open-plan office it may not be that easy for you to loosen tight clothing and close your eyes. But don’t worry, just loosen what you can, and focus your attention on an object next to you, something on your desk or screen instead.
You could try to focus on a screensaver of a restful image. Relaxation is definitely one of the most helpful self-help activities for mental health and preventive measure against the development of stress and anxiety.
Relaxation exercises can be divided into two main categories: one is for the body and the other for the mind. Exercises for the body also have an effect on the mind. Having a relaxed body may not stop a continuous flow of anxiety-inducing thoughts, but it is a good basis for getting some control of them.
If you want to get best results try to combine both techniques. So have a good and relaxed time at beautiful places like Dubrovnik or just relax and feel good at home, both will help you to feel better.