Put Self-Care First This National Wellness Month

Throughout August, work on finding new ways to care for your mental and emotional wellbeing. Check out this month’s newsletter for some fun tips to get you started.

Practical Relaxation Techniques for a Stress-Free Life

In our busy lives, stress often becomes an unwelcome companion. Balancing work, family and personal commitments can leave us feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. However, integrating relaxation techniques into your daily routine can significantly reduce stress levels and improve overall wellbeing. Some benefits of these techniques include lower blood pressure, improved focus and mood, less muscle tension and pain, improved sleep quality and more! Here are some practical relaxation techniques to help you live a stress-free life:

Deep Breathing Exercises. Focusing on your breath can help clear your mind of distracting thoughts and sensations. Try diaphragmatic breathing by inhaling deeply through your nose, allowing your abdomen to rise, and then exhaling slowly through your mouth. Repeat this a few times and you’ll feel more relaxed and centered in no time!

Mindfulness Meditation. This technique encourages present-moment awareness and is great for reducing anxiety and stress. Start by finding a comfortable quiet place to sit, close your eyes and focus on your breath. Let your thoughts come and go without judging them. Start with a few minutes a day and increase the time as you get more comfortable.

Visualization. Take your mind on a mental vacation by imagining soothing scenes, places or experiences. Engage all your senses by visualizing the sights, sounds, smells and textures and spend a few moments immersing yourself in this calming environment. Visualization can help boost your mood and reinforce a positive vision of yourself!

Yoga and Tai Chi. Yoga and tai chi are wonderful ways to connect with your body and mind.Both practices combine deep breathing with a series of postures and flowing movements to leave you feeling refreshed and recharged.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation. Give your body a mini massage with a technique that helps reduce physical tension by systematically tensing and relaxing different muscle groups. Start with your toes and work your way up to your head. Tense each muscle group for five seconds and then relax for 30 seconds before moving to the next group. See how this practice makes you feel more relaxed and at ease!

Music Therapy. Listening to music can soothe the mind and body. Try creating a playlist of your favorite calming songs or nature sounds. Spending a few minutes a day listening to this music can transport you to a more relaxed state!

Consider setting aside time each day to experiment with these relaxation techniques to find what works best for you. Make relaxation a regular part of your routine and watch as your stress levels drop and your sense of wellbeing soars!

Sources

“Six relaxation techniques to reduce stress.” Julie Corliss, Harvard Health Publishing, February 2, 2022.

“Relaxation techniques: Try these steps to reduce stress.” Mayo Clinic, mayoclinic.org, April 28, 2022.