Making the Time for Relaxation

It can be hard to find the time to relax. Most of us would probably admit that we don’t spend enough time relaxing and recharging our batteries.

We are often too busy, rushing from place to place, getting work done, and managing homes and families.

Today we’ll look at five techniques that can help us relax:

• Mindfulness

• Aromatherapy

• Self-hypnosis

• Laughter therapy

• Music therapy

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment and accepting it without judgement.

Being mindful means keeping your mind on the here and now. This can be very calming, allowing worries and regrets to be left alone, especially when it is the focus of meditation.

There are a variety of ways to practice mindfulness.

Relaxation – Sit quietly and focus on your natural breathing or on a word or “mantra” that you repeat silently. Allow thoughts to come and go without judgment and return to focusing on your breath or mantra.

Body sensations – Tune in to each part of your body in succession from head to toe.

Sensory – Focus intently on sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches in your environment.

Emotions – Allow emotions to be present without judgment.

Acknowledge any cravings that arise such as chocolate and allow them to pass.

For calming music to meditate to, guided meditation videos, and answers to common meditation questions; the Headspace YouTube channel is a fantastic resource.

Aromatherapy

Using essential oils in a controlled way can promote personal wellbeing.

Essential oils are concentrated, naturally derived extracts taken from flowers, trees and other plants.

Essential oils are harvested carefully from specific plant parts at specific times during its growing cycle.

Aromatherapy can involve massage and/or inhalation.

Massage - Massage is usually most effective before bed and can help promote a good night’s sleep.

Inhalation – Try using an oil burner or a mist diffuser

Note: Please research the use of essential oils before using, as they can be harmful if not used correctly.

The Essential Oils & More app acts as a handy, comprehensive guide for learning about essential oils, using them in your everyday life, and sharing your favourite blends with friends.

Self-hypnosis

Based on the work of Sigmund Freud - the human mind can be split into three distinct areas of consciousness: the conscious, subconscious and unconscious.

Self-hypnosis or hypnotherapy can be a successful way of reducing stress and opening the mind to new ideas or thought processes.

There are many self-hypnosis resources available including apps, YouTube videos and other recordings. Before using any such materials ensure that the recordings have been produced by a reputable and trained hypnotherapist.

Hypnobox is a self-hypnosis app designed to help you achieve a deep state of relaxation.

Laughter Therapy

Laughing is an excellent way to reduce stress in our lives and can help you to cope with and survive a stressful lifestyle.

Laughter provides a full-scale workout for your muscles and unleashes a rush of stress-busting endorphins. Since our bodies cannot distinguish between real and fake laughter, anything that makes you giggle will have a positive impact.

Laughter Yoga There are 4 components of laughter yoga:

• Clapping in rhythm to ‘ho-ho-ha-ha-ha’.

• Breathing and stretching.

• Child-like play.

• Laughter exercises.

Laughter comes from the body not the mind

For videos on guided laughter yoga, check out the LaughActive YouTube channel.

Sound Therapy

Sound therapy involves using sound waves to heal the body and mind.

Such sounds are not what we traditionally think of as music, but usually continuous tones created by drums, gongs, or more modern ultrasonic machines.

The theory behind sound therapy is that all of our bodies’ cells vibrate at a natural frequency.

These frequencies can become misaligned or otherwise changed through illness or physical stress.

By subjecting the body, or part of the body, to a sound at a particular frequency such problems can be improved.

An example is playing back a recording of a particular sound at a predetermined and constant frequency to treat muscular aches and pains, which may have been caused by stress.

Healing Vibrations have a vast swell of peaceful sound therapy videos on their YouTube channel.

For further KTL articles on wellbeing and more click here

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