There’s no doubt that many of us work better under pressure, and that a little stress can power us through a long day, boost our workouts and help us achieve what we didn’t believe we could. But the flip side is of course that too much stress has many negative side effects, and that many of us lose the ability to relax as we rush through our daily lives.
Come December, and yearend holidays, I think we owe it to ourselves to really unwind and clock up some proper relaxation. Not only for ourselves, good rest and relaxation makes us healthier, nicer to be with and certainly better equipped to make a positive contribution to our businesses in the New Year. Easier said than done, I know. I think that if most of us look back over the last year and ask “did I take enough time to relax” the answer will be a resounding “no”. So here are some reasons why you should and some tips as to how.
The benefits of relaxation:
• Promotes better sleep and more energy.
• Promotes increased concentration, better problem-solving abilities and greater efficiency.
• Boosts memory, and lowers risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
• Reduces blood pressure and lowers risk of a stroke.
• Reduces headaches and pain.
• Protects the heart, lowering risk of heart attacks.
• Enhances immunity and helps keep away colds and flu.
• Keeps you slim and helps prevent cortisol spiking.
• Eases acne and other skin disorders.
• Inhibits development of cancer and promotes recovery.
• Increases blood flow to the muscles, decreasing muscle tension.
• Promotes a better mood, smoother emotions, less anxiety and frustration.
Make sure you get some:
Stats show that only 53% of working people come back from holiday feeling rested and rejuvenated and on top of that 30% say they have trouble with work stress while they are away. With 24/7 access to laptops and phones, it’s no wonder.
Breathe deeply
We often forget to focus on the simplest, shortest (and one of the most restorative) activities available to us: breathing. Start and finish every day with ten to fifteen deep breaths. You’ll notice you get better and better at “auto-relaxing” as time goes on. Take it a step further and dip into meditation or yoga for even deeper relaxation.
Write it down
It’s hard to unwind when our thoughts keep returning to our endless to-do lists. Get clear by sitting down for a few moments, making a list of what you need to do, what must be done and what can wait, and then let the rest go until you need to do them.
Learn something new
One of the best ways of getting a complete break and switching off on holiday is to learn something new. It can be more relaxing and refreshing that trying to do nothing, especially for those people who sit on a beach for 15 minutes and then think, “Ok, what’s next?”
Get active
Whether it’s a brisk walk, a hard sport, a game of golf or taking up surfing, if you haven’t been active for a long time, a holiday can be a good time to start. It also burns off adrenaline and cortisol.
Figure yourself out
Many of us fail to unwind because we don’t understand what really works for us. Get to know yourself and what works for you – whether it’s sitting on the couch or climbing Everest. Don’t judge yourself for what you choose, but own it, use it and unwind!