How to Relax
Rest and relaxation isn’t a luxury. Here are some tips to help you de-stress and relax:
Take more time to enjoy your meals
This turns on our parasympathetic nervous system —> leads to further relaxation, and better digestion
Use breathing techniques
Use singing/ yoga breathing techniques
Do relaxing activities (no screens)
E.g. knitting, art, dance, writing, journaling
Listening to music
Meditation Videos by either Michael Sealey or Jon Zinn
Suggested Anxiety meditation videos
Take walks in nature alone, with a companion, or a pet
No cell phones along for a ride while you walk! (unless it is to further relaxation)
Practice Forest bathing, even within a city =
suggested link for Progressive muscle relaxation
suggested link for Mindfulness
Time spent with animals
Tea or coffee time, or a walk with a good friend or family member
Practice “Fika” ( Swedish for having a relaxing coffee with friends)
Low-impact exercise
E.g. Tai Chi, Qi Gong (movement, relaxation and meditation)
Emotional support from animals
Aromatherapy
Drink herbal teas
Lavender tea, passionflower and or valerian root are some recommendations
Baths
Inhaling essential oils can stimulate the limbic system in our brain which is an area that can be involved in controlling emotions and long-term memories as well as our sense of smell.
Epsom salt bath
Relaxing: Add lavender, rose, chamomile, geranium or bergamot oil to 1/4 cup of salt
Salt helps to disperse the oil in the water
Clear Nasal Passages: 2-3 drops of eucalyptus
Mani/pedi
Our finger nails and toes nail including the skin around them as well as our noses can absorb chemical toxins. Nail polishes can be considered 3 or 5 free which means they are likely free of some of the following chemicals
formaldehyde which is considered carcinogenic, and may be toxic to our immune system
formaldehyde resin which can irritate skin , nasal passages and our lungs when we breath it in
camphor which can be toxic to our liver, and can cause our nails to yellow and dry
DPT (dibutyl phthalate) which is consider an endocrine disruptor
toluene which may effect breathing .
and the list goes on…
Further Assisstance
If you require further assistance, you may consider outside help. Here are some options you may wish to look into further:
Massage therapy
Acupuncture
Osteopathy
Physiotherapy
Chiropractic Therapy
Hypnotherapy
Headaches or nervous habits
Reminder to take Mindful Walks and spend time with pets
Relaxing time with friends and family
Hygge (Danish is the word for coziness and creating a mood for relaxation)
to do a Fika ( Swedish for having a relaxing coffee with friends)
Urban Forest Bathing
Disclaimer: Although I am a registered MD, information on this web site is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professionals or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. Please view this website’s “Disclaimer” for further details.