Take Time for Relaxation
Article written by: Simeon Hunter - Massage Therapist
Taking care of your health and wellbeing are crucial because they significantly impact your overall quality of life. Prioritising your health can help prevent illnesses and contribute to a greater sense of happiness and contentment.
An important practice for promoting mental and physical wellbeing is relaxation. It involves calming both the body and the mind to reduce tension stress and anxiety. As well as reducing stress, relaxation offers numerous benefits including improved mental clarity, enhanced mood, lowered blood pressure, better quality of sleep and even a stronger immune system. Taking time to relax can stimulate overall wellbeing and help recharge both your mind and body.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Deep breathing - Breathing exercises are one of the easiest relaxation techniques and can effectively calm your stressed out body and mind at anytime. Sit or lie down in a quiet and safe place such as a chair, your bed or even the floor. Once you are comfortable, place a hand (or both hands if you prefer) on your belly. Breathe in slowly to a count of three then breathe out slowly to a count of three. Repeat this 5 or 6 times or as many times as you need to feel relaxed.
Get a massage - Massage helps us relax both physically and mentally. The physical manipulation of the muscles and soft tissues during a massage increases the blood circulation, which helps reduce muscle tension and encourage relaxation. The release of Endorphins act as natural painkillers and mood enhancers to contribute towards relaxation. The soothing touch of massage triggers the body's parasympathetic nervous system which helps reduce stress.
Practicing yoga is another relaxation technique. By focusing on the present moment reduces stress and anxiety, helping to quiet the mind and create a sense of calm. The gentle stretching helps release muscle tension while the increased blood flow encourages oxygenated blood to alleviate built up tension. Yoga can also simply take your mind off the stresses of daily life, giving you a mental break.
Taking a walk in nature, listening to music, meditation, practising Tai-chi or reading a book, are other simple activities to give the mind and body time to switch off and relax.
If you would like to book a massage, you can reach Simeon via email: massagebysimeon@outlook.com or phone: 07921 069548. You can also find him on Facebook.