Relax!

It is a common idea that some stress can be a good thing. In fact, that little bit of stress can provide the adrenaline rush we need to get through the day. However there’s no denying how great it feels to come home, kick off our shoes and relax. Relaxing not only feels good, but is also very beneficial to our health as well. According to a report from the University of Maryland Medical Center “In general, studies show that with consistent practice, relaxation techniques can potentially reduce symptoms or improve outcomes in (many) conditions” including high blood pressure, pain, anxiety and arthritis to name a few. Let’s discuss a few techniques that we can use to help us unwind:

Meditation is a wide range of techniques designed to promote relaxation, among other things. This can be done in as little as a few minutes or several hours. There are many different ways we can meditate such as walking meditation, gratitude exercises, and mantras.

Breathing exercises are great to help unwind because they make the body feel like it does when it’s already relaxed. When we breathe deeply it sends a message to our brain to slow down and take it easy. There are many different exercises we can try to see which one works best!

Perhaps one of the easiest methods to relax is to take a nice hot bath with some music playing. The heat from the water loosens muscles that may be tight. Studies have shown that listening to music can lower blood pressure and decrease the level of stress hormones released in your body.

There are many ways to relax, these methods are only a few. What are some of the ways you relax? Let us know in the comment section below!