Everyone is bothered by it. From those days that you overflow with stress, that everything and everyone is just too busy and you prefer to crawl under a stone. After a normal working week or during work it can be difficult and before you realize it, you have handed out the first snail again. Emotions blur your decision making. The tension has to slip away from you, just how do you provide more peace and relaxation and how to ensure that it has a lasting effect?
Of course it is not fair if others are the victim of your chagrin. And you yourself do not become happier. Sometimes it seems that nothing helps. Holiday, weekly yoga sessions, massages. Nothing helps. Perhaps you even consider the doctor, because you come to rest so hard. The pressure in the 24-hour society is of course high. You want to get your business done at work. Often it is also pressure that we impose ourselves or that is imposed from home and we maintain an old pattern. Previously, for example, it was expected that everything could be better and career was very important. This is partly it, but it is what you demand of yourself. You may have received a deeply rooted perfectionism.
Yet it is true that we are all human and we are (unfortunately?) None of them perfect. Maybe that’s why it’s time to adjust your expectations a little and be a bit milder for yourself? We put nine tips in a row to get a bit to yourself. It should not be natural, but it is for your own good. We recommend applying it with some regularity, so that it brings relaxation that is permanent or at least easier to come back.
1. Space
Find the space to relax, but also give your limits at work or at the home front. The unrest that you feel is of course a signal that you need something. Dare to choose for yourself and that can be done in tig ways. For example, go dancing, horseback riding, walking, running, surfing and / or sauna. Take free. In other words, take care of time for yourself. It can also be coffee, tea, lunch or a game of pool with a friend. It is important to discharge.
2. Cry
It sounds like an open door, but we are all people with feelings. So pull back if necessary and find a place where you can just be human. Does it help to go to the forest or sit in the attic? Then do that. Too much tension is stuck in your body and that has to be removed. Just let the tears run free, without judging or thinking about what that will bring. It is just there and you can get rid of it better than being rich.
3. Feel
Do you find it difficult to allow emotions? Then learn to feel step by step. It is also better to feel than to worry. And worrying about those feelings is not good either, so just try to accept them. It is what it is. Easier said than done of course. We admit that, it does require some time and attention, but the creed is ‘not thinking but feeling’. Just try switching.
4. Breath
When we are tense, we often sit high in our breath. In other words, breathing quickly. Breathing often does not go beyond the diaphragm, whereas it is important to breathe in the stomach or even deeper. So you notice that you are in a hurry. Try to breathe calmly and deeply. Maybe it’s even good to sit down or just stop what you do. If only for a few seconds, just go back to yourself. Feel the cold as you breathe in and the warmth of your breath as you exhale. Follow him all the way to your belly. Will not this work immediately? No worries, will come naturally. Try to do this a number of times (per day). At the desk, on the toilet, outside, in the car or at the station, you name it. Breathing is something that you can always go back to. It can be a very powerful way to come to grief if there is room for it.
5. Focus
We are not all the same, but probably we all know the feeling that we are feeling unstable or that we feel that we have fallen off our pedestals. Sometimes it’s because of something someone said and you got a bit of a hit or it’s just busy around you, making it come your way. The emotion just grabs you by the scrubs and of course you do not feel like it. Then try to focus a moment on yourself or to perpetuate your energy. The one calls it earthen, the other back to the core, but actually it is bundling your own power. You stand or sit with your feet on the floor, breathe down as far as possible and follow the rhythm of your breathing. Also try to make contact with your heart and try to let love or peace flow. Imagine that you are completely compact. If you want to go one step further, do a body scan, feel the tension, try to let go. Then fill your body with white light. Relax.
6. Attitude
The body gets stuck due to a one-sided posture and / or overload. More and more people have neck, shoulder and back complaints. Especially in today’s culture where many people are confined to their desks and lean forward over our smartphone.
In fact, we would have to disconnect from our computer every half an hour. Yet people are always inclined to continue. Maybe such a kitchen timer or a little pause is not such a crazy idea yet? Or get that round of coffee? A Mensendieck therapist can also tell very well what a good posture is and what kind of exercises may be needed for relaxation. Often we are so conditioned that we unconsciously raise our shoulder (s), sit on our chair or hang out. What are you doing? Can it be more relaxed?
7. Pause
Busy busy busy. The work has to be finished, but if something is bad, it is the pause. In the past it was still commonplace that you had four breaks a day. Half an hour from your boss and half an hour from yourself. Not that crazy yet, and that takes fifteen minutes. Should actually be a sting. It is nevertheless a balance between work and relaxation. Even if you work at home. Often you get more done with a short break and you have a different view when you return to your workplace. Maybe still enter that lunch (together) instead of eating the sandwich for the computer? Of course you can also walk around. And do not be ashamed if you occasionally do a (relaxation) exercise at your workplace. The only one who can protect himself is you.
8. Structure
Provide structure. Only in the event of repetition can new behavior actually be tapped or changes can be experienced as lasting. Research shows that for real change more than two months is needed. Some people even say 21 days. Maybe three weeks is good to start with, but of course it is true that some tension has been building for years. Of course that is not gone at once. Actually it is just trial and error. So be gentle to yourself, be patient, but also have discipline. If it does not work one time, try again another time. Then it will most likely be better.
9. Help
Not everyone needs help, but sometimes it does not work or is difficult. The deep breathing stagnates, endless sports sessions work against and tension do not get lost. Do not be ashamed. It is, however, an idea to ask what it can be. Psychologists, mental coaches, mindfulness courses or just the masseur or physiotherapist. It does not exist for nothing. Of course, talking to friends can also purchase a series of self-help books. Tai Chi, silence or yoga retreats may also be an idea.