Aiding rest and relaxation isn’t as easy as it sounds. In a world where people are increasingly busy, be it as busy parents, partners, business owners, etc., finding a pocket of time to stop and relax isn’t always doable for everyone.
But the reality is that the increased busyness of life necessitates the need for increased downtime, and not allowing your body to relax and unwind can cause countless mental and physical health issues now and in the future.
Here’s where self-care steps in. Discovering self-care activities that fit your lifestyle is crucial.
The beauty of these options is that they can be squeezed into small pockets of time throughout your day, offering a ray of hope in the midst of a hectic schedule. This adaptability empowers you to manage your time effectively and prioritize your well-being, instilling a sense of optimism about your ability to make time for self-care. Remember, it’s okay to take a break and prioritize your well-being. Overcoming feelings of guilt or finding small pockets of time can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that self-care is not selfish, it’s necessary for your overall health and well-being.
Need some inspiration for self-care activities that promote rest and relaxation? Keep reading!
Deep Breathing
Practising deep breathing techniques is simpler than it may seem. It can be done in just a few seconds to help you regain your composure or simply get practice in for when you might need it. Taking a minute or two out of your day to inhale and practice deep breathing techniques can be a great way to ground yourself in the present moment and give you even just a small fraction of time to stop and clear your mind.
Whether it’s a stressful work meeting, a tantrumming toddler or a stubborn teen, work deep breathing practices into your day to help you boost mental relaxation and clarity. There are various deep breathing techniques you can try, from the basic inhaling as deeply as possible and then exhaling slowly to the box technique, which means you inhale for the count of 4, hold your breath for the count of 4, exhale to the count of four and then wait to inhale for the count of four. Or you can try the 4-7-8 pattern, which is inhaling for four, holding your breath for seven and then exhaling for 8. Find one that works for you or helps you through those tough times.
Digital Escape
Do not doom scroll because it is likely to make things way worse than they should be, especially if you’re already stressed. But you can indulge in a TV show or movie, use a calming app that helps you unwind, listen to a podcast, read a book, or even play digital games like sudoku. The digital world is full of options for you to escape and relax.
You can use your device to escape into a digital world for a short time and forget everything that is going on around you. The more you use your digital technology to support rest and relaxation, the more valuable and useful it becomes rather than being the cause of increased stress.
You can find many apps designed to help you relax and unwind online—white noise apps can help you sleep, Sleep Cove is a podcast that can help you relax and unwind, or simply putting Netflix on and finding something to watch that relaxes you (yes, true crime counts if that’s your thing!) can give you that time out of your need to recharge those batteries. Other digital escape activities could include:
- Playing calming games.
- Listening to soothing music.
- Engaging in creative activities like digital drawing or colouring apps.
Dance
A 5-minute dance party on your own or with your kids can be a great way to release some energy and bring enjoyment back to your life. Moving your body, raising your heart rate, and even singing along as you dance can help release some tension and support relaxation and stress release that might be building up in a fun way. Put some music on, turn it up, get dancing, and see how it makes you feel! If nothing else, it’ll bring a smile to your face.
Exercise
Exercise doesn’t have to mean dragging yourself to the gym and putting yourself through a vigorous and unforgiving routine—unless, of course, that’s your thing. Exercise is anything that moves your body and raises your heart slightly so you’re out of breath. You should aim to get at least 150 minutes of exercise into your life each week—it doesn’t have to be all at once, either.
It might be that you go for a run before the family wakes up, take the kids swimming, go for a walk, take an aerobics class, or even try out CrossFit if that takes your fancy. The key is to find something you enjoy and can fit into your day. Even running on the spot for a minute at home while you nip out to grab the 23457th snack of the day can give you a quick boost and aid rest and relaxation when you finally head to bed.
Journal
Writing down your feelings and worries can be a really effective self-care measure that can reduce stress and boost rest and relaxation. This avenue can be particularly beneficial if you struggle to unwind because you have a lot on your plate or running through your mind.
Writing things down gets them out of your head and allows you to work through them easily. Once they’re out of your head, you can use this relief to help you get some relaxation, as you have relieved your mental load, even if only momentarily. You might need to work on resolutions for your issues, but even just the act of writing them down can be enough, especially if you have anxiety.
Self-care doesn’t need to be expensive or complex. It’s the little things you do and the habits you build into your life that allow you to focus on yourself that will have the most effect. If you are struggling to find time to unwind or avenues you try to help you relax, these 5 tips are designed to do just that.