5-Minute Stress Relievers - Relaxation

Yesterday we took our foster daughters to a water park. It wasn't your typical water park - it was very family friendly with picnic tables and chairs, lots of grass and trees, and a variety of fun activities included in the ticket price . It was relaxing - beautiful views, pleasant music, very little cement.

As you may know, my skin cancer issues normally keep me out of the sun. So I parked myself under a tree as the "keeper of the stuff." I almost always bring things to do because I start to twitch (not literally!) when I have nothing to do. I made a few phone calls and looked over some stuff, but I deliberately chose to relax, too.

My body was giving me indications that I needed to relax - I didn't really want to be very productive, I was tired, and I didn't mind just sitting and watching people and the scenery. So I listened to my body.

We may not always have the opportunity to get away for a day when we are stressed. But we can take a few moments to be refreshed by intentional relaxing, whether at home or at work. If you are at work, turn off your light and put a sign on your door: "I'll be back in 5 minutes." Then go back inside your office and take five. If you are in a cubicle or open office, you'll have to get a little more creative. :)

Here are a few ideas:

• Close your eyes and picture your favorite nature scene - mountains, the beach, flowers, a sunset, etc.
  
• Sit in a swing or rocking chair and let your mind wander.
• Close your eyes and listen to a CD of nature sounds.
• Breathe slowly and deeply.
• Go outside and enjoy nature.
• Star-gaze.
• Go into a dark room, put your feet up, close your eyes and enjoy the quiet.
• Lie on your back in the grass and watch the clouds.
• Make yourself a cup of tea or hot chocolate and sip slowly.
• Remember pleasant times or places in your life.
• Look at an old photo album.
• Put cucumber slices on your eyes.
• Lie on the floor and put your legs up.
• Listen to, play or sing a favorite song or piece of music.
• Force yourself to do nothing.

Make it a goal to intentionally relax two or three times a day. Even though it doesn't seem like much, you are relieving stress!

What do you do to relax? Subcribers click here to comment on the original blog.


More Stress Relievers:
5-Minute Stress Relievers - Physical Activity
5-Minute Stress Relievers - Organizing and Cleaning
5-Minute Stress Relievers - Being Generous