1. Introduction
2. How to relax
3. The benefits of relaxation for your health
4. Why you should find what works for you
5. Other ways to relax
6. Conclusion
1.Introduction
Stress is a part of life – there’s no way around it. But that doesn’t mean that we have to let it take over our lives. Learning how to relax and take time for yourself is essential for managing stress and keeping it from becoming overwhelming. There are many different ways to relax, and what works for one person may not work for another. Some popular methods include yoga, meditation, and using essential oils. Others find relief in massage, acupressure, or simply taking a hot bath. No matter what method you choose, the important thing is that you make relaxation a priority in your life. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of relaxation and why it’s so important to take time for yourself.
2. How to relax
We all know how it feels to be stressed out. Your heart races, your muscles tense up, and your mind feels like it's running a million miles a minute. But what can you do to relax? Here are a few tips on how to relax:
- Take a deep breath. Breathing deeply can help to slow your heart rate and calm your nerves. Try breathing in through your nose for 4 seconds , holding for 7 seconds and breathing out through your mouth for 8 seconds, this will give you an instant calmness and allows you to gather your thoughts and concentrate on breathing.
- Find a peaceful place. If you can, find a quiet place to sit or lie down, close your eyes and focus on your breath.
- Do something you enjoy. Sometimes the best way to relax is to do something you enjoy, like reading, listening to music, or spending time with friends or family.
-Get away from your devices. Our screen time is drastically affecting our mental health and there are studies showing the correlation between the amount of time we spend on our devices and depression. The evidence is clear, take some positive action and reduce the amount of screen time in your life and if that is not possible, try blocking out the blue light which is emitted from those screens. https://www.knightsleep.ie/ocushield
The main point is there is no "one size fits all" approach and you must find what works for you and try to take a few moments each day to relax. It can make a world of difference in your overall stress levels, productivity and happiness.
3. The benefits of relaxation for your health
We all know that stress is bad for our health. But what about relaxation as a way to combat stress? Is it really as beneficial as people say it is?
It turns out that relaxation is indeed good for our health. It can help reduce stress levels, improve our mood, boost our immune system, and even help us live longer. So if you're looking for a way to improve your health, relaxation is a great place to start. Your body will thank you for it.
Professors at Stanford University understand the importance of relaxation and even have a dedicated page for people to view here https://bewell.stanford.edu/relaxing-into-better-days/
4. Why you should find what works for you
Sometimes there is too much information out there and many conflicting views but the main thing to remember is that we are all so different and therefore respond in different ways to traditional methods of relaxation. For example, I found meditating frustrating and not fit for purpose because I tried it so many times and it never worked for me. It had the opposite effect.
But, approaching it from a different mindset can be very beneficial as you start to see just how it can work for you or simply, how to make it work for you. Meditation is not only the usual thought - sitting on a beach with no one around and only the sound of the waves to sooth your senses! It is actually quite easy to relax in that environment but, we do not all have the luxury of living near the seaside or maybe don't even have the time to get there.
Meditation can be anywhere, just taking time to yourself is what's important. Close your eyes if possible, if that's not possible then don't, just make sure to understand that you are not bulletproof when it comes to stress. It's all about balance in life, if you have stress in it (which we all do) then offset it and don't let it dominate and if you notice that you are not as happy as you should be, it could be stress that's causing it.
5. Other ways to relax
At Knightsleep, we believe in trying anything to live healthier and feel better. Traditional methods are great but something that stood out to us when we were busy launching the company was a brilliant relaxation mat called Shakti. Some of it's benefits are listed below:
Unlocks decompression and deep relaxation
Assists circulation to wash away tension
Resets a restless mind
Experience deeper sleep
Sense of wellbeing and calmness
Thousands of spikes apply pressure to your skin and muscles to support: Deep, restful sleep, healthy circulation, relaxation of tense muscles, mental clarity, and overall well-being. These benefits are accessible through the principles of acupressure, all within the comfort of your home. Lying on your back is the most popular way to use The Shakti Mat. It can be useful for improving quality of sleep, releasing tension in muscles and fascia, reducing stress.
Your Feet are covered in pressure points making standing on The Shakti Mat a perfect way to achieve a deep acupressure effect. It can be useful for: supporting circulation to the legs and feet, rejuvenating tired and achy feet, providing reflexology treatment for the whole body. Many people carry tension in their neck and shoulders so targeting this area can be a great way to release tension fast. It can be useful for: supporting circulation, releasing tension, soothing the mind.
We’re going to be honest, lying on sharp spikes can be a little intense at first, but your body is going to love you for it. First, you will experience a prickly discomfort that is tempting to resist. Once you push through, the sensations melt into a tingly warmth, known as the addictive “Shakti burn”. After 20 minutes it’s time for the real reward—the full-body sensation kicks in, tension washes away and you’re ready for deep sleep.
Each Shakti Mat is handmade by a team of craftspeople. Shakti’s production is based on the principles of empowering individuals and creating financial independence-spreading wellbeing from craftsperson to customer.
6. Conclusion
Looking after yourself is probably the most important tool in life. This is not always easy to achieve, but a valuable tool in order to life a good life. No one wants to be stressed all the time but sometimes stress dominates your life. It's vital that we recognize this and take corrective action as soon as possible. This being said, having a little stress in your life can actually improve your performance but there is a tipping point where it is too much to handle.
The main take away from this blog post is that if you look after yourself. Showing up for yourself is as important as showing up for others. Recognition of what stresses you is really important. Take action, do something and try as much as you can until you find what helps you. This could take years to find out so be patient if you're not getting quick results. Once you find something that you like, stick with it and don't give up straight away as it takes time to form new habits. Once you have a good grasp of relaxation and how to achieve it, make it part of your routine.
Take a look at some of our relaxation products which can be really beneficial in winding down and relaxing, especially before bed.