National Relaxation Day
Even if you know you should take some time to RELAX, many of us don’t know how. Since today is National Relaxation Day, I wanted to share some tips I’ve collected from around the web to help relax all 5 senses. Sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste are each important factors in prepping your body for complete relaxation.
Hearing: If music, soft tones, or sounds of nature bring you quick relief, experiment with different sounds to find what soothes you the most. It could be the sounds of the waves lapping on the shore or the rustling of leaves in the wind. Turning on your favorite hit song or even humming your own tune might also do the trick.
Sight: Many people surround themselves with sights that soothe them. Whether their walls are painted their favorite cheery shade of yellow or their desk at work is filled with smiling memories, these sights can bring about a sense of calm. Some people even practice meditation and envision themselves in their favorite place if getting there is not immediately available.
Smell: Aromatherapy is a popular way to reduce stress. Burning a candle, using reed diffusers, or adding a few drops of essential oil to your bath or to your lotion can fill the air with the stress-reducing fragrance. If you are not sure what scent you prefer, try lavender, which is very calming, while eucalyptus and spearmint can be uplifting.
Taste: There is nothing like a hot cup of herbal tea, a cold glass of water with lemon, or a sweet piece of chocolate. Whatever you enjoy, savor the flavor. We often inhale our food in a rush and neglect actually spending time to connect with layers of flavor and textures. When you are stressed it is a good time to slow down and savor every little bite.
Touch: Some people find that touching different textures provide them stress relief. This can include wearing fuzzy socks, playing with stress relief balls, petting an animal, getting a massage, or taking a hot bath. This could also be floating in a pool or stretching your muscles with yoga.
You do not necessarily need to learn breathing techniques or wait until you are extremely stressed to relax. You can take these tips with you to the store and the office to help you relax anytime, anywhere. Just stimulate your senses!
Joan Lunden truly exemplifies today’s modern working woman. An award-winning journalist, bestselling author, motivational speaker, successful entrepreneur, one of America’s most recognized and trusted television personalities, this mom of seven continues to do it all. As host of Good Morning America for nearly two decades, Lunden brought insight to top issues for millions of Americans each day. The longest running host ever on early morning television, Lunden reported from 26 countries, covered 4 presidents and 5 Olympics and kept Americans up to date on how to care for their homes, their families and themselves.