10 tips for relaxation

Now needed more than ever. Read on to find my best tips.

Welcome to my blog post. Now more than ever we need to find ways of relaxing so that we can feel in control of situations that might otherwise plummet us into fear and despair. If you are constantly worrying about whether you have washed your hands, whether everyone else has washed their hands, are there too many people around you not socially distanced, why are they not wearing their masks? Are they showing symptoms of COVID? How clean should you wash your fruits and vegetables? You may be over anxious. Of course we all need to make sensible choices, but if everything we are listening to is making us more frightened than capable then we might possibly be out of balance.

It is important to bring balance back into our lives rather than feel out of control. We don't need to spend unnecessary time thinking about ill health and an imminent death. These kinds of thoughts in themselves are likely to weaken the immune system. A relaxed you, is a happier you and is also a stronger you, both in body but importantly in mind too.

Here are 10 ways to bring about relaxation, bring you back into balance and help you to feel calmer and more in control.

Meditate. This is almost always more powerful with a group. If you have never tried, then listen to calming relaxing music that makes you feel sleepy. If it makes you feel like getting up and dancing then it's probably the wrong kind of music. There are thousands of meditation apps, videos, books and so on to help you find something you like. Sitting in silence for 15 minutes is like having a restart so give this a try also.
Go on a retreat. There are many retreats on various topics and interests which will enable feelings of calm. If you can manage for more than a day - this will be a huge bonus.
Have a massage. One of my favourite ways of relaxing. I always want to fall into a deep sleep afterwards, and sometimes I do. There is the added bonus of an overall feeling of well-being.
Go for a walk out in nature. This is why so many people enjoy walking their dogs in parks, forests or beaches. Or just going for a walk generally. They may not even be aware of just how rejuvenated they feel because it is a habit rather than a choice. Walking in itself is one of the few activities that you can do which exercises every muscle more in your body.
Take up Yoga, Tai Chi, Ki Gung or any of these types of modalities. Even though this may feel like hard work during the session, you will feel deeply relaxed after. It would be better to find a class where it is relaxing through the class, such as Ki Gong that does not feel like hard work even though you are powerfully exercising the muscles. And you end most of these sessions with a powerful desire to be quiet and calm.
Read a good book especially at bedtime. This prepares the body to calm down and unwind from the activities of the day leading into a deep and blissful sleep. If you are not able to sleep deeply sometimes, it may not be anything to do with you personally and maybe due to energies which are around. This is another reason to train your sensitivity as you will become more aware if your sleep is being disturbed for another reason.
Aromatherapy. The scent of some of these oils, by themselves can bring on deep relaxation, especially if you are sensitive to smell. Lavender oil is particularly calming. A drop or two on your pillow at night will aid deep sleep. Spraying the oil into the air around you bring on feelings of calm. Be sure to purchase a good brand. Some products can affect your lymph nodes so be aware that it may be the product and not throat ache.
Comedy night. Some good belly laughs provides enough light hearted fun to take your mind away from the seriousness of life. There are even classes which teach you how to laugh. It is amazing how these classes leave you feeling light and carefree. Again what this actually helps with is taking your mind away from worrying and anxious thoughts. Definitely worth trying.
Hobbies like gardening, knitting, sewing, crocheting, painting, drawing, cooking, dancing and all the others which make you forget the outside world for a while is definitely worth spending time on as you are relaxed while you do it, as well as drawing you into a more relaxed state generally.
Lying in a warm bath with fragrances, salts and candles. This can be like a therapy in itself. Pay attention to the salts which make you feel more relaxed. If you have a favourite bubble bath this can add to the experience. If you do this before bed, and further unwind with a good book you will gradually bring on feelings of calm more regularly. Good habits are hard to beat.