Ways to Relax & Unwind

Your body and your brain naturally need to relax and unwind during the day in order for them to work to their full potential, and sometimes you might think you can ignore it and get away with it, when really you’re overworking yourself and creating more stress in your already hectic day. Have you taken time recently to stop and think about how to relax? By giving yourself a little bit of time in your day to just relax and unwind you could elevate your productivity levels and decrease your stress levels, improve your relationships overall and be in a better headspace in general, and that’s a recipe for success.

So now that you know why it’s important to relax and unwind, let’s get to the good part. Here are a few ways to help you take time out of your day to relax and unwind. The good news is that you don’t need a lot of time to find ways to relax, all it takes is a few minutes.

Here are some easy tips on how to relax a little every day:

It might seem so basic that you don’t even think about it as a way to relax, but taking the time to just focus on your breathing is a fantastic way to stop the hamster wheel for just a few minutes and center yourself again. Breathing is one of the simplest ways to learn how to relax no matter where you are, and it can be as quick as you want it or need it to be. Just take a moment, close your eyes and sit, or lay down wherever you feel comfortable. Put your hand on your stomach so you can connect to your breath and feel your stomach expanding and contracting as you inhale and exhale. Breathe in deeply, hold it for a second or two, and release it. Think of it as giving yourself a big hug, the deeper the inhalation the bigger the hug. Once you switch your mindset to thinking of breathing as a self-hug, you’ll want to do it constantly. Who knew something so simple could feel so good?

If you’re having trouble figuring out where to start you can check your smartphone or smartwatch; most have an app to help guide you through simple breathing exercises.

The great thing about breathing is it takes almost no effort and feels amazing. Just breathe in and out as many times as you want and get ready to feel like a whole new you.

True, the beach is not readily available most of the time, but the good thing is that you can get those same peaceful feelings just by walking barefoot on grass or soil. Grounding is a simple way to show yourself how to relax and it only takes a little time out of your day. When you are feeling like you need a break, kick off your shoes and head to the nearest patch of grass or soil. Stand silently and take a moment to assess how you feel.  Go through all your senses, think about what it smells like to be outside, what the ground feels like under your feet… look around you, take it all in. By going outside and practicing grounding for just a few minutes you are calming the mind, relaxing your muscles and also giving yourself a health boost. Grounding is said to improve your immunity, release stress and even help you sleep better.

You can also move by doing gentle stretches, using yoga breathing techniques with small movements, or even putting on your favorite song and dancing to it while no one is watching. Always remember movement is a fast and easy option when deciding how to relax during your busy day.

When you’re thinking about how to relax in a more personal way, consider reaching for pen and paper. Some people like to make lists so they can cross them out as they go, since it feels good to see goals being marked off and your list getting smaller as the day moves along. 

This one is simple and very effective. Take some time out of your busy day and just sit for a moment. Focus on each part of your body, one at a time. Begin with your feet. Tense them, hold it for a couple of seconds and then release. Move on to your legs, then your abdomen, your chest, your hands, your arms, your shoulders, and finish with your face, then repeat if necessary. When you tense your muscles, you hold in all the energy and when you release them you let it go. You’re going to love the way you feel after, as the stress pours out of your muscles. It’s the next best thing to a massage that you can get in such a short time. This is an easy go-to when looking for how to relax.

Self-care is a term that has been used quite a lot lately and it’s not hard to see why. Sometimes you can be so preoccupied with what everyone needs from you that you forget to take care of yourself, and if you don’t take care of yourself, it is going to be much harder for you to care for others. Self-care comes in many different forms; maybe it’s a nice warm bath with candles, or a face mask that allows you to relax while you let it do its magic. Maybe it’s a trip to the hair salon to get your hair done or a manicure or pedicure. Maybe it’s booking that much needed massage or taking a nap. All these little things might seem trivial, but in reality, they do a lot of good. They can improve your mood, reduce your stress levels, and even boost your self-esteem, refreshing you so you can be your best self when taking care of the needs of others. So go ahead and indulge a little…it’s one of the best ways of teaching yourself how to relax.

While figuring out exactly how to relax is up to you, the trick is finding what’s best for you and making yourself a priority. The goal is making sure your life has a nice balance so you can take whatever comes your way in the best way possible.