In our last blog post, we talked about different ways you can quickly rejuvenate yourself throughout the day. In this blog post, we will continue to talk about rejuvenation and the benefits of taking time for yourself.
Find Time To Be Alone. If you’re an introvert, it’s obvious that you need alone time to refuel. Being alone can help clear your mind. Our brains need to rest and recharge in order to function like we want them to. Even if you’re not an introvert, alone time is still important for processing and reflecting. Being by yourself with no distractions gives you the chance to focus, clear your mind, and think more clearly.
Be Mindful Of Yourself. If you already exercise daily, try adding these steps prior to your workout. It would also be beneficial to do after an intense workout to give your body a cool down.
- Set your timer for five minutes and lie down on a bed or comfortable sofa. If you can do so in a quiet place, that’s even better. We’re so used to constant noise that we are often unaware of how much it increases our stress levels.
- Take a second to notice your breath. If it’s shallow, try breathing deeply.
- Stretch. The stress and tension we experience in our day to day lives often show up in our bodies in the form of tense muscles. Here are a few stretches to help you decompress and de-stress.
- Be present. Mindfulness is the ability to become fully engaged in the present moment. It is more difficult than it sounds because our minds can often wander effortlessly to past difficulties or future anxieties.
Relaxation Before Bedtime. Try drinking a cup of lavender tea before bedtime. Buy a candle warmer for your bedroom, and put some lavender essential oil in it about half an hour before bed. Lavender is soothing, so if you are having trouble falling asleep, place a drop on your pillow to help calm and lull yourself to sleep.
Silence your phone, and don’t share your bed with your computer or television. Seek at least five minutes of silence before bedtime as silence helps to settle, calm, and nourish your nervous system. If something is worrying you, try to breathe with full belly breathing in order to oxygenate your body and calm your nervous system.
If you’d like to set up a time to meet up with Reka, you can contact her by phone at 402-881-8125, by email at reka@omaha-counseling.com, or via Twitter or Facebook.
