It's Time to Relax By Tracy Simmons

Photo: Sandy beach with 'Relaxx' written

Focused relaxation is vital to our well-being- it helps counteract the negative effects of stress on our mental and physical health. When you make a conscious effort to relax, you encourage the mind to become calm and the body to become loose. There are many different ways to relax - massage visualization, meditation, and exercise. Here are some easy ways that you can incorporate relaxation into your busy everyday life.

Practice Yoga

It is a great way to develop a balance between the mind, body and spirit. The physical postures help to relax tense muscle and the breathing will help calm the spirit. Here is a simple exercise that you can do anywhere:

Standing Forward Bend

Stand comfortably with your feet hip distance apart.

Place your hands on your thighs; relax your shoulders as you tuck your chin into your chest.

Slowly walk you hands down your legs following the natural curve of the spine bending forward from the hip. Only go as far as you are comfortable and bend your knees if your need to.

Hold the position for 5 longs breaths and slowly roll yourself up to standing, making sure that your head comes up last.

Visualize Yourself Calm

Visualizing a peaceful atmosphere, soothing sounds and colours can help slow your mind and create an overall sense of well-being. This imagined place is a retreat from stress and pressure. Try to give yourself 5-10 minutes a day to do relaxation imagery. When you return from your journey, you will feel refreshed and uplifted.

Get Pampered

Never underestimate the power of touch! There are many different kinds of massage therapy - Shiatsu, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology - just to name a few and all with produce very different results on your mind and body. Do your homework and find out which one is right for you based on your desired effect. If you are trying to relax tense muscles, you might try and deep tissue massage. If you are looking to calm your mind, a gentle massage may be a better choice. Any type of massage will help to ease tension and improve circulation.

The Sweet Smell of Calm

Aromatherapy has been used for many years to stimulate the senses. Essential oils can be calming and soothing or invigorating and uplifting. Lavender, jasmine and vanilla are especially helpful in relaxation. Aromatherapy candles, oils and burners are readily available and are a very easy way to add some calm to your day. Aromatherapy can also be used in conjunction with massage for an even more relaxing effect.

Just Breathe

Deep breathing is a simple but very effective method of relaxation. Taking long, controlled breaths can help calm the mind and relax the body. Here is a great one to try at home:

Inhale as deeply as your can through your nose.

Place your hand on your abdominals to feel it rise as you expand your lungs and diaphragm.

Exhale completely as you feel the abdomen collapse with the breath.

Do this 10 times as you quietly listen to the breath and body.

"Give your thoughts a chance to settle down. Then feel you mind clear like a still forest pool"
- The Buddha

Tracy Simmons is a full-time fitness professional who inspires others with her constant involvement in health and wellness. She offers a broad range of fitness experiences to all populations and has been featured in Healthy Directions Magazine. She is currently a Fitness Consultant in Hamilton.
For more information visit www.tracysimmonsfitness.com

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previous article next article It's Time to Relax By Tracy Simmons Focused relaxation is vital to our well-being- it helps counteract the negative effects of stress on our mental and physical health. When you make a conscious effort to relax, you encourage the mind to become calm and the body to become loose. There are many different ways to relax - massage visualization, meditation, and exercise. Here are some easy ways that you can incorporate relaxation into your busy everyday life. Practice Yoga It is a great way to develop a balance between the mind, body and spirit. The physical postures help to relax tense muscle and the breathing will help calm the spirit. Here is a simple exercise that you can do anywhere: Standing Forward Bend Stand comfortably with your feet hip distance apart. Place your hands on your thighs; relax your shoulders as you tuck your chin into your chest. Slowly walk you hands down your legs following the natural curve of the spine bending forward from the hip. Only go as far as you are comfortable and bend your knees if your need to. Hold the position for 5 longs breaths and slowly roll yourself up to standing, making sure that your head comes up last. Visualize Yourself Calm Visualizing a peaceful atmosphere, soothing sounds and colours can help slow your mind and create an overall sense of well-being. This imagined place is a retreat from stress and pressure. Try to give yourself 5-10 minutes a day to do relaxation imagery. When you return from your journey, you will feel refreshed and uplifted. Get Pampered Never underestimate the power of touch! There are many different kinds of massage therapy - Shiatsu, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology - just to name a few and all with produce very different results on your mind and body. Do your homework and find out which one is right for you based on your desired effect. If you are trying to relax tense muscles, you might try and deep tissue massage. If you are looking to calm your mind, a gentle massage may be a better choice. Any type of massage will help to ease tension and improve circulation. The Sweet Smell of Calm Aromatherapy has been used for many years to stimulate the senses. Essential oils can be calming and soothing or invigorating and uplifting. Lavender, jasmine and vanilla are especially helpful in relaxation. Aromatherapy candles, oils and burners are readily available and are a very easy way to add some calm to your day. Aromatherapy can also be used in conjunction with massage for an even more relaxing effect. Just Breathe Deep breathing is a simple but very effective method of relaxation. Taking long, controlled breaths can help calm the mind and relax the body. Here is a great one to try at home: Inhale as deeply as your can through your nose. Place your hand on your abdominals to feel it rise as you expand your lungs and diaphragm. Exhale completely as you feel the abdomen collapse with the breath. Do this 10 times as you quietly listen to the breath and body. "Give your thoughts a chance to settle down. Then feel you mind clear like a still forest pool" - The Buddha Tracy Simmons is a full-time fitness professional who inspires others with her constant involvement in health and wellness. She offers a broad range of fitness experiences to all populations and has been featured in Healthy Directions Magazine. She is currently a Fitness Consultant in Hamilton. For more information visit www.tracysimmonsfitness.com previous article next article
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