Health & Travel - Learn to Relax Your Mind for a Happy & Healthy You, Pt 2

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Relaxing techniques will take a little practice. There may be a couple that don't suit you but don't worry, try another one, or talk to your healthcare/mental health professional.

Combine deep breathing or aromatherapy with other forms of relaxation for the double WIN.

More Great Relaxation Techniques

WIN-WIN:

Meditation & Prayer

This practice slows down the brain waves of an over-active mind, lowers stress & inflammation, reduces muscle tension, improves breathing & sleep quality, and gives you a sense of calm & well being. I pray/meditate every day, and it gives me an overall sense of calm & empowerment to tackle whatever obstacles might be thrown at me.

1. Find a quiet place that you enjoy. Sit with back supported & eyes closed or gazing ahead at a fixed point. Make sure you're in a comfy position. Beginners may want to set a timer for 5-10 minutes.

2. Think about your happy place - like Heaven, the lake cabin, or the gazebo out back. Focus on deep, slow breathing. Has your heart rate slowed? See Learn to Relax Pt 1 under "Breathing".

3. Now focus on your mind. What is it thinking/feeling? Has your mind slowed down? If your thoughts wander to events of the day, or tomorrow's to do list - bring your focus back to breathing.

4. Next focus on a calming activity you enjoy - like . Does your body feel more relaxed?

5. Now think of things you're grateful for: family, friends, pets, your god - all of which should make you feel loved, safe, and more balanced. If they're a source of stress, you may need to talk it out or find ways to minimize the stress.

6. Ask God to help you keep a relaxed mind & cheerful heart. Ask for help with anything else you need & then release it.

Tai chi or Yoga

These 2 practices incorporate focused breathing, and because they don't cause stress on the bones/joints like running, it's great for all age levels. Both Tai Chi & Yoga work on the whole being. These are the benefits you'll experience:

• Increased balance, flexibility, strength, range of motion, reflexes, mental focus, mood, and overall quality of life.

• Decreased stress/depression, pain & inflammation, illness, and blood pressure.

I do yoga 1 day per week in between other types of exercise, and I can tell you I'm loving the benefits, While weight lifting works on major muscles, yoga goes deeper and works on everything including the important auxiliary muscles which support & stabilize the major ones.

Yoga also emphasizes balance & range of motion which weight lifting does not. It also calms the mind as you focus on holding the pose & breathing. Yoga has definitely improved my mobility, flexibility, balance, and strength. It's a great fitness tool. And, you can do it ANYWHERE even when traveling - no equipment needed.

Aromatherapy

As mentioned in "Message Therapy" above, essential oils have therapeutic & healing properties, like reducing stress/anxiety & improving sleep. Essential oils both heal & promote better health for most all conditions. Example: get a diffuser for your office or night stand to breath in relaxing oils.

Or, apply it to the skin. You need to mix 4 drops of therapeutic grade essential oil with 1 tablespoon of carrier oil. The best carrier oils are 100% pure fractionated liquid Coconut oil or 100% pure Jojoba oil. Apply a couple drops to the inside of each wrist & rub in which works for the overall body or under your nose.

FYI: Wash your hands after so you don't get oils in your eye. For more serious conditions - it might be time to consider prescription medication.

For Healing - the oils are amazing. It's great that several oils are anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral. I started a Natural Cures Journal about 12 years ago which has proven time after time, that essential oils & tinctures made from plants, herbs, roots, trees, and flowers have healing power.

My healing experiences: decreased shingles pain & itch as it healed, disinfected & healed a couple nasty cuts, balanced hormones, reduced allergic reactions to bug stings, decreased pain & inflammation, got rid of nausea & stomach upset, cleared nasal congestion, improved teeth/gum health and skin, boosted immunity, etc.

Hot water - a hot bath, soak in a jacuzzi, or natural mineral springs will do amazing wonders for mind & body. Add aromatherapy in the bath for extra benefits.

Go to the beach - take your dog for a walk. Then have a sit & focus on the rhythmic sounds of the waves pushing their on shore. Enjoy the calm & warm sun. Think happy thoughts. And, breathe.

Stretching - if you'd like an A.M./P.M. boost, practice stretching with breathing. Inhale slowly. As you slowly exhale, start stretching a major muscle. Inhale again & as you exhale stretch a little deeper. Repeat 1 more time, then hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds. Any pain, back off. Yoga stretches are great for stress & tension.

Music, art, gardening, cooking - any activity that is calming & enjoyable qualifies. They can reduce stress/anxiety, and improve mental focus, strength, and sleep. Some also help with social skills, memory, reducing pain, and feelings of satisfaction.

Read a book - sink into a lounge chair on the back patio with your favorite beverage & let the sun warm your bones. As you focus on reading, your mind will calm itself.

Curl up on the sofa - relax with your dog and watch a heartfelt & inspirational movie. As your mind follows along, it will forget about the stresses of the day and calms itself. Add aromatherapy for an added relax.

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