The opposite of stress is Relaxation. Relaxation is often seen as a luxury but is vital for physical and emotional health. Your body’s stress response can get triggered often throughout the day and, if your body doesn’t return to its regular state of relaxation afterward, you may find yourself in a state of chronic stress.
Relaxation techniques can help you restore your body to its natural state when you’re feeling stressed, and can help you remain more resilient to stress that you face in the future.
- Meditate – a few minutes per day can ease anxiety. Research suggests daily meditation may alter the brains neural pathways making you more resilient to stress
- Breath – Deep breathing counters the effects of stress by slowing the heart rate and lowering the blood pressure. One technique is to slowly inhale through the nose, pause at the top and exhale.
- Slow down – When you spend time in the moment and focus on the senses you feel less tense. Take 5 minutes to focus on only one behavior with awareness
- Tune in to your body – Mentally scan your body to get a sense of how stress affects it each day. Lie on your back, or sit with your feet on the floor. Start at your toes and work your way up to your scalp, noticing how your body feels.
- Reach Out – Your social network can provide comical relief or at very least a spin on the situation
- Get moving – All forms of exercise, including yoga and walking, can ease depression and anxiety by helping the brain release feel-good chemicals and by giving your body a chance to practice dealing with stress. You can go for a quick walk around the block, take the stairs up and down a few flights, or do some stretching exercises.
- Be grateful – Keep a gratitude journal to help you remember all the things that are good in your life.
Body & Soul Massage offers a monthly Meditation Group the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. $12 cash. Drop ins Welcome.
Call 978-825-0040 or email info@bodysoulsalem.com for more information.