When feeling tired or exhausted it can be easy for us to ignore the signs the body and mind is telling us and just keep on going with our day but we need to take breaks and recover to make sure we can function properly. There is lots you can do to help yourself relax and unwind but it is up to you to find the time to do these things and actually make yourself do them.
If you are struggling to unwind and relax and you are unsure what you can do to actually do it then hopefully these few tips will give you an understanding of what you can do and help you get started on unwinding and relaxing more in your day to day life.
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Work on your breathing
A great way for you to give your body a natural break is to work on your breathing, it is one of the easiest and shortest activities you can do to relax yourself so it can be done anytime anywhere. You should take 5 deep breaths and focus on the pauses between each breath and this will give your mind a great break and increase your focus.
Use things you love to tend to yourself
Just as you would tend to your home or kids you should also make time to tend to yourself, you should do things you love and know to relax you. Maybe it is reading a book or having a hot bath etc. Try and do anything that you know will relax you and allow your mind to unwind, maybe you like games or crossword puzzle books, all these things can be used to help you relax. Baking and cooking may not sound like it but it is a great way to unwind if you enjoy it so start baking and cooking lovely meals for you and the family.
Use a journal
For some people writing down their thoughts or how their day went in a journal is a great way to unwind for them and that is because for some people to switch the brain off a bit or just empty it a little, this can help you to relax a bit more. What you need to watch out for though is if writing in your journal becomes more of a task or a chore as opposed to something to unwind, if this is the case then just do not do it until it becomes something relaxing again.
Clear your mind on what needs doing
It can be hard to relax and take a break when you have so much to do going through your mind so what you need to do is sit down and take a minute to see what can be achieved that day and write your to do list on what can be done that day not what you can cram in. That way you will feel more relaxed with a reduced list and not having to rush around getting everything done. That will also get you thinking about what you can and cannot control, this will help to reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed and make sure you are more in control and know what is achievable and what is not.
Try and get out into nature
Going out and taking in nature is a great way to unwind and relax whether it is going to a local park or out in the countryside. Nature has a great way of clearing the mind and helping unwind. A great way to get into nature is hiking, because not only are you getting in some exercise which will help to relax the mind, the visuals of nature will help you to relax further and just unwind, you can also take with you a picnic or go with family so it is something you can do with everyone.
Do some exercise
Exercise may not seem like a way to unwind but if it is something you enjoy it definitely is. If you enjoy exercising then use it when you are feeling stressed and need to unwind, exercising releases endorphins in the brain which are linked with happiness so as long as you are not exercising to a point where you are not enjoying it, you will find that exercising is a great way to unwind and increase your mental health.
If you struggle to relax and unwind and you are unsure what you can do to feel more relaxed and unwind on a day where you just feel overwhelmed then hopefully, these few tips will help you to understand how to unwind more and get started on a better path to relaxation.
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