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="66d1">When you want to wind down after a busy day, your first thought might be to sit in a comfy chair. Sometimes, though, you’ll benefit more from taking a stroll or exercising tense muscles.</p><h1 id="972e">Meditate</h1><figure id="25f8"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*13wD9gNpqultwVcT"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@zoltantasi?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Zoltan Tasi</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><p id="ad87">Meditation need not involve sitting in a particular fashion or chanting: All forms assist mental repose. You could sit cross-legged and meditate, observing a single object like a candle flame.</p><p id="fa51">Or, you might prefer to walk mindfully, noting the physical aspects of movement, like your muscles and tendons stretching and weight transference as you take steps.</p><p id="e0ff">Find a meditation that suits you and practicing will help you relax.</p><h1 id="da87">Focus on breathing</h1><figure id="4f12"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*ceZBzAjHXlmrdiST"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@jcremer?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Jérémie Crémer</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><p id="04eb">Even if you don’t want to meditate, you can take deep breaths. Focusing on your breath as you breathe in and out slowly and deeply will elicit the relaxation response in your body, and your mind will follow suit.</p><p id="853d">As you inhale through your nose and out through your mouth, relax your shoulders and enjoy the sensation of calm.</p><h1 id="b9d4">Practice guided visualization</h1><figure id="61b9"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*lo5SBw9DviAY048Q"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@doozydoom?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Markus Bürkle</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><p id="fe3d">Guided visualization is similar to picturing a restful place, only you listen to a descriptive narrative.</p><p id="ce5d">During the visualization, you’ll be asked to immerse yourself in a relaxing scene using your senses and imagination. You’ll find audios via Internet search engines, or you can buy them or write your own and record them for your use.</p><h1 id="039a">Listen to music</h1><figure id="7a3b"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*GWMU6sQqvEHQTCQHmkbq7A.jpeg"><figcaption><a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-girl-headphones-music-977020/">Source</a></figcaption></figure><p id="5e7e">Music can excite or relax you. It’s useful to listen to fast uplifting songs and symphonies when you want to increase your energy and slow, peaceful music when you want to wind down and chill out more.</p><p id="06a8">It doesn’t matter whether the music you choose is from a specific genre. As long as it makes you feel good, your well-being will improve.</p><h1 id="166e">Be creative</h1><figure id="d5c7"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*uJBwG2yr-R0OJ6LD"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@szilviabasso?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Szilvia Basso</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><p id="b3bb">Get creative. Paint a picture, bake a cake, or write a poem. Engage the part of your brain that aids creative endeavors and you

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’ll stop thinking about problems and enter a flow state, in which you enjoy serene focus.</p><p id="048e">Activities from dancing to playing can help to reduce anxiety and increase feel-good chemicals while you mellow out.</p><h1 id="f798">Feed your mind with positivity</h1><figure id="c23c"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*7Fk1n8yPRUlh4qkg"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@dinpanag?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Constantinos Panagopoulos</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><p id="ce6a">A negative mindset will lower your mood, but you’re in charge of the thoughts you focus on. It’s difficult to block out unwanted contemplation, and better to shift your attention to positive self-talk when you want to reduce stress and relax.</p><p id="745d">Make sure you add more soothing habits to your daily routine and you’ll cultivate greater wellbeing.</p><p id="138d">Don’t want to miss new stories? <a href="https://bridgetwebber.medium.com/membership">Click here</a> to join Medium. Your membership fee directly supports Bridget Webber and other writers you read. You’ll also get full access to every story on Medium.</p><div id="d522" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/mindfulness-exercise-to-help-you-connect-with-nature-3c60d66cb087"> <div> <div> <h2>Mindfulness Exercise to Help You Connect with Nature</h2> <div><h3>Experience life as if for the first time</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*tla817ts2fgUBJOu)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="95cd" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/happiness-in-ordinary-things-e6412720ee5e"> <div> <div> <h2>Happiness in Ordinary Things</h2> <div><h3>What happiness means to me</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*DXEZeWEcHWHOTivFNGZKNw.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="b780" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/buddhist-parable-to-reduce-suffering-5dfce7b94897"> <div> <div> <h2>Buddhist Parable to Reduce Suffering</h2> <div><h3>It will help you recognize how to stop adding to stress</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*oFkBC-uZTxqYn6Yl0HR2DQ.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="a115" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/wisdom-comes-from-stillness-not-suffering-bc1a6a772cdc"> <div> <div> <h2>Wisdom Comes from Stillness Not Suffering</h2> <div><h3>Listen to your heart</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*aUe1ETT5DLlPwi0o5mKwwA.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

10 Relaxation Tips to Boost Wellbeing

Benefit from the healing power of calmness

Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash

Unwinding helps you maintain wellness. When you relax, you let go of mental and physical stress, your immune system has more energy to help you stay healthy, and you feel good.

Follow these 10 relaxation tips to benefit from calmness and boost wellbeing.

Spend time amid nature

Photo by Qingbao Meng on Unsplash

Walk or sit among nature. Spend time in your garden, the local park, the countryside, or by the ocean or another wild area and you will relax.

Listen to natural sounds like running water, birdsong, and the wind rustling through leaves on tree branches to reduce stress, and watch wildlife. Look at fine details in nature such as the veins on fallen leaves and the intricate pattern of flowers.

Picture a tranquil place

Photo by davide ragusa on Unsplash

Even if you can’t go out, picturing somewhere relaxing can help. Imagine you’re resting on a sandy beach in the sunshine while you listen to the surf lap the shore. Or picture a meadow full of spring flowers.

Then again, you might prefer to imagine a different scenario. Choose a scene to meet your personal taste and it will help you relax.

Take a break

Photo by Simon Migaj on Unsplash

You won’t achieve more just because you don’t stop work now and then. In fact, your productivity could improve if you have regular breaks. So simmer down and take a breather.

Have a bubble bath or a picnic in the park. Put your feet up and enjoy the beautiful scenery and the sun when it shines. Do whatever makes you feel alive and happy.

Carry out gentle exercise

Photo by Soroush Alavi on Unsplash

High-intensity exercise gets your heart thumping and blood flowing, but not all kinds of supportive movements are vigorous: Some promote relaxation. Gentle exercise, like walking and stretching, can help you de-stress.

When you want to wind down after a busy day, your first thought might be to sit in a comfy chair. Sometimes, though, you’ll benefit more from taking a stroll or exercising tense muscles.

Meditate

Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash

Meditation need not involve sitting in a particular fashion or chanting: All forms assist mental repose. You could sit cross-legged and meditate, observing a single object like a candle flame.

Or, you might prefer to walk mindfully, noting the physical aspects of movement, like your muscles and tendons stretching and weight transference as you take steps.

Find a meditation that suits you and practicing will help you relax.

Focus on breathing

Photo by Jérémie Crémer on Unsplash

Even if you don’t want to meditate, you can take deep breaths. Focusing on your breath as you breathe in and out slowly and deeply will elicit the relaxation response in your body, and your mind will follow suit.

As you inhale through your nose and out through your mouth, relax your shoulders and enjoy the sensation of calm.

Practice guided visualization

Photo by Markus Bürkle on Unsplash

Guided visualization is similar to picturing a restful place, only you listen to a descriptive narrative.

During the visualization, you’ll be asked to immerse yourself in a relaxing scene using your senses and imagination. You’ll find audios via Internet search engines, or you can buy them or write your own and record them for your use.

Listen to music

Source

Music can excite or relax you. It’s useful to listen to fast uplifting songs and symphonies when you want to increase your energy and slow, peaceful music when you want to wind down and chill out more.

It doesn’t matter whether the music you choose is from a specific genre. As long as it makes you feel good, your well-being will improve.

Be creative

Photo by Szilvia Basso on Unsplash

Get creative. Paint a picture, bake a cake, or write a poem. Engage the part of your brain that aids creative endeavors and you’ll stop thinking about problems and enter a flow state, in which you enjoy serene focus.

Activities from dancing to playing can help to reduce anxiety and increase feel-good chemicals while you mellow out.

Feed your mind with positivity

Photo by Constantinos Panagopoulos on Unsplash

A negative mindset will lower your mood, but you’re in charge of the thoughts you focus on. It’s difficult to block out unwanted contemplation, and better to shift your attention to positive self-talk when you want to reduce stress and relax.

Make sure you add more soothing habits to your daily routine and you’ll cultivate greater wellbeing.

Don’t want to miss new stories? Click here to join Medium. Your membership fee directly supports Bridget Webber and other writers you read. You’ll also get full access to every story on Medium.

Psychology
Mental Health
Lifestyle
Self Improvement
Self
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