Easy Relaxation Exercises
- by admin
Learning how to relax can greatly improve your health and well-being. That’s why it’s so important to find ways to introduce more relaxation into your everyday life. If you don’t learn to manage your stress, stress will manage you, and left unchecked, stress can be draining, exhausting, cause anxiety, and may even create health issues.
All of us look for ways to counter stress on a regular basis, sometimes without even being aware of it. Some of us go to the gym to work off stress. Others go to the pub and try to drink stress away. There are the couch potatoes that zone out in front of the TV to eliminate stress, and then there are those who use smoking or drugs as the answer. But drinking, smoking, or drugs are toxic and can be damaging to your body and mind.
The key to finding true relaxation is balance. If you are use to a hectic lifestyle, you may feel that relaxing might make you lose your edge. You may also be addicted to the effects of
adrenaline, and find it problematic to relax. But remember your body can’t remain on high alert all the time. It will eventually lead to burn out, and possibly physical ailments.
So, the best time to discover how to bring more peace and relaxation into your life is before the lack of it becomes a problem. Practice ways to relax anytime you get a chance, or whenever you feel the need to release stress.
Here are some effective relaxation positions. You have probably seen some of them before. Some are variations used in yoga exercises, and are very helpful in reducing feelings of stress and anxiety.
1. Legs Across a Chair
Begin by getting a chair. Now lay on your back on the floor, and place your legs on the seat in a sideways position. Make sure the chair is right up against the bend in your knees. This is good for the lower back. It also allows your whole body to let go of tensions and your muscles to begin to relax. Slow down your breathing too. If you really want to go deep into this relaxation position, try covering your eyes with a moist warm towel or cucumbers slices.
2. Bottom Against a Wall
Next, put the chair aside and move your buttocks up to the base of a wall and extend your legs straight up the wall. Make sure your bottom is as close to the base of the wall as possible, and that the small of your back is flat against the floor. You can place your arms straight out on either side, or just keep them by your sides. Again, keep your breathing slow, or do some breathing exercises. The point is to do whatever feels most relaxing to you. There is no right or wrong way.
3. Knees Against Your Chest
Now bring your knees down close to your chest. Hold your legs to your chest with your hands if you can. That really helps stretch the lower back. If it feels more relaxing to you, just keep your
knees in a bent position as close to your chest as possible. Close your eyes, and breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. Do whatever makes you feel more relaxed.
4. Blanket Under Shoulder Blades
Now here’s the last one. Slowly move away from the wall. Don’t jump up quickly, that is counterproductive to everything you just did. Instead, roll over on your side, and use your arms to push yourself up into a sitting position. Now take a blanket, towel or cloth and roll it into the shape of a log. Place it on the floor and lay back on the cloth so that it’s horizontally straight across your shoulder blades. You can increase the range of this position by stretching your arms out on either side, tucking the small of your back against the floor, pulling your knees up in a bent position and placing your feet flat on the floor. Most often, stress and tension gets stuck in your neck, shoulders and lower back. This relaxation position really helps to release those stress knots that can form in those areas.
There you have it. Simple, easy positions to help release stress. Remember, when you’re done, don’t get up quickly. Roll over on your side, and use your hands and arms to push yourself up into
a sitting position, and then continue to get up slowly. Do any or all of the positions whenever you get a chance, and share them with a friend. To your health!