You may not realize it, but your mind and body feed off of one another’s energy, and when you face certain challenges or stressors, you develop both physical and psychological tension. As one tension becomes worse, so does the other. However, the opposite is also true — when you relieve one form of tension, the other will begin to dissipate as well. The key to getting the tension to dissolve, however, begins with mastering techniques that enable relaxation of both the mind and body. Amrit’s wellness journey utilizes a number of techniques for relaxing when tension begins to build up. Learn and begin practicing them today.
- Breathe
It may sound simple — too simple, maybe — but research shows that by taking a five-minute break from a stressful task to simply breathe can lower your heart rate, reduce your blood pressure and counter stress. To achieve the full benefits of this trick, close your eyes, sit up and place a hand on your belly. Take a deep breath in through the nose and pay attention to how the air builds up in your abdomen and works its way up through your upper body. Exhale, all the while paying attention to the way the breath moves through you.
- Meditate
Meditation is one of the best ways to relax the mind and the body. Studies reveal that meditation also helps to reduce anxiety, and that daily practice can alter the brain’s neural pathways. Proper meditation involves sitting up straight with both feet firmly planted on the floor. Close your eyes and focus your attention on a positive phrase, word, or mantra. Repeat the saying either silently to yourself or out loud, all the while holding your hand to your abdomen. Feel your breaths grow in sync with the mantra. Do this until all other thoughts disappear.
- Belly Laugh
“Laughter is the best medicine” isn’t just a saying — it’s science. Countless studies reveal that a good, old-fashioned belly laugh helps rid the body of stress hormones and boosts the production of endorphins, the happy chemical your brain produces. However, laughter doesn’t just help with stress. It’s also been proven to increase the production of immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thereby making you more resistant to illness.
- Get Moving
Any form of physical activity is good for the brain and body and can aid in the development of the brain’s feel-good hormone. If you’re feeling stressed to the max and breathing and meditating aren’t working, put on your walking shoes and go for a stroll. If you feel like running, don your running shoes instead. Yoga, Pilates, kickboxing, dancing, gardening biking, and swimming will all do the trick as well. The goal is to get the body moving so it can start producing more endorphins.
- Slow Down
It’s easy to get stressed out when you aren’t living your life. If you’re rushing through the little moments, such as eating, getting your kids ready for school or walking up to your place of work, it becomes difficult for you to truly appreciate your life for what it truly is. When you can’t appreciate the good yet inconsequential moments, the stressful ones can weigh heavily on you. Instead of rushing through your life, slow down and enjoy them. Savor each bite and the way it feels on your tongue. Revel in the sound of your child’s voice, even if it is to complain about breakfast. Pay attention to the breeze on your face, the sounds of birds chirping and the smell of the ocean air when you walk into work each morning. By being mindful of the little moments, you can shift your perspective and feel less tense.
- Ask for Help
One mistake many people make when living with stress is trying to handle it on their own. Don’t do this. Just because your stress is your stress does not mean you have to shoulder the burden of it yourself. If you have a strong social network and a compassionate group of loved ones, there is a good chance that at least one person will be willing to help, and even more, will be willing to lend an ear and offer a fresh perspective. However, you can’t know until you ask.
- Decompress
At the end of the day, it may be easy to fall back onto the couch and call that relaxation. However, relaxing can be so much more enjoyable if you take time to do it right. Get a warm compress and drape it over your shoulders. Lay back, close your eyes and mentally relax every part of your body, working your way from your neck down. After 10 minutes of this, remove the wrap and use a tennis ball to massage the tension out of your shoulders and back. You can do this by leaning against a wall and using your weight to hold the ball to the wall. Apply pressure evenly on all the parts of your back that feel tense.
- Listen to Soothing Tunes
Listening to music is therapeutic in and of itself, but when you listen to the soothing sounds of nature, classical music or other soothing sounds, you can lower your heart rate, reduce your blood pressure and ease symptoms of anxiety. As you listen to the music, allow your mind to focus on the different instruments, beats, and melodies of each unique piece.
When you stay at Amrit Ocean Resort and Residences, you are privy to personalized wellness and health tips. Schedule your visit today to learn more about how you can achieve a higher level of wellness and spirituality.
