Breath and relax for your health

Relaxation is very important for everyone. When I say relaxation I don’t mean sleeping either.  You can however relax to help you sleep but that is not the relaxing I am talking about. I am talking about the “me time” relaxation. You know that kind of relaxation you do for yourself to get rid of the buildup stress and worries.  Relaxation isn't just for women or men. Have you ever seen a child that was throwing a tantrum and was inconsolable? Didn't you notice after being put in "time out" or "thinking time" how better the child acted? That is because children as well need relaxation just as much if not more than us adults do. I know there are days I come home from work and are so stressed I non-intentionally snap at my family.  It ends up making me even more stressed afterwards because I feel so awful for doing it because I know it isn't their fault. Those days are when I need some “me time” the most. 

Ever catch yourself so strung out and stressed that you can’t even think straight? Or how about after a long day of work if anyone so much as to look at you wrong, you blow your top? Or even more commonly is when you have that very important assignment or deadline that you have to get done but it seems like there is a radio playing in your head and everything is spinning like a world wind in your head?  We all get these but when we let the stress go for too long is when problems start to arise. There are tons of ways to help you unwind. Like relaxing music, meditation, “me time” with a good book or a nice soak in the bath. Just to name a few of them. I personally love to do the bath because it I know then I will not have as many disruptions. There are a few rules to this though. I know you are thinking rules to relax?!?! Are you kidding me?  Listen up and I will tell you what I mean by rules.

Leave your troubles and frustrations at the door. It isn't much of a relax time if you are bringing what is stressing you in with you. The world can wait an hour or two. If you are a single parent it is best to wait till the little ones are in bed asleep before you do this. This time is all about you and you alone. Go into the bathroom and start making yourself a nice hot bath. Then add some essential oils like peppermint or lavender to your water with some Epsom salt. Then sink yourself in with some nice quiet and relaxing music and just let all that is troubling you wash away.  If you are strapped for time or the little ones just won’t go to sleep then just get a bucket or a bowl that is big enough to soak your feet into, a towel, some Epsom Salt, and essential oils. Put them into the bucket with hot water and let your feet soak for at least 5 minutes. It will also help adding your hands to the water as well and if you have something cold like a bag of frozen peas then place these on the back of your neck. This will help relieve any stress headache you have and will help you feel much better.  This is because your skin is thinnest in the arches of your feet and around your wrist. So it will absorb some of the water and help you feel better. This is partially because it helps hydrate your body to aid in the fight against dehydration.

After a long day of stress it is important for not only your mental health but your physical health as well. Not only will stress cause you to blow your top but there are also physical side effects that can wreak havoc on you and your body.  For example, you are sitting at the office and all of a sudden your neck gets stiff and starts to hurt. You reach up to rub it and feel a dull pain in your neck. This is called a stress knot. If not worked out, it can end up pressing against your spine and can cause some damaging after effects like a hunch back. Other damaging side effects of stress are: Headaches, chest pain, muscle tension or pain, sleep issues and many more.  Did you know that stress also affects your behavior in other negative ways as well? Stress can cause you to overeat or not eat enough, tobacco use, drug or alcohol abuse and much more damaging effects.  

X marks the spot! No not really but there are a few things that can help. One of which is exercising.  When you exercise your body releases endorphins, chemicals in your body that have similar effects on the body as morphine. This Often gives the feeling known as “runner’s high” or euphoric.”  Endorphins act as analgesics, which mean they help get rid of pain and at times act like a sedative.  These sedatives are made in your brain, spinal cord, and many other parts of your body and are released in response of your neurotransmitters.  These neurons endorphins that bind are the same kind of ones that bind in pain medicines. I would say that working out actually saves us money because now we don’t have to spend money for the same effect.  Another interesting fact about exercising is that it wards off depression, boosts self-esteem, and helps you sleep better.  It also helps strengthen your heart, increase your energy levels, lowers blood pressure, and reduces excess body fat and much more. Yoga in an excellent form of exercise that helps reduces stress and increases your flexibility.  Try it out and see how you like it. If it isn’t for you then try any form of physical activity. It will help you out much more than sitting on the couch stressing about things more. 

I hope you guys really liked my week of how to help fight your inner demons. You are all beautiful and I hope these last 5 posts have been able to help you just a little. As they have helped me by writing it. As most of you know, I write as a way to express myself and to help relieve the stress I build up during the day. S in turn my blog is my escape and in turn I know it helps all of you guys in return. I want to give a huge thanks to all of you for all you have done for me this year. Even if you think you didn't do anything you have. That is why later today and this weekend, I will be doing some thank you giveaways just for you guys to show you how grateful to you all I am.  Please make sure to get plenty of rest, water, food, and most of all get active and sweat pink.