The Power of Relaxation

A spa day or a trip to your local massage center are great ways to get that lovely, relaxed feeling we all crave. With our busy lifestyles and never-ending to-do lists, it can sometimes feel as if relaxation is some unattainable goal, but there are plenty of ways to relax and step away from stress without going too far or spending too much.
Breathe Deeply, a Free Way to Relax
Have you tried breathing lately? Silly question! But although we all do it, day in and day out, we don’t always recognize the healing properties of breathwork. Just stop as you’re reading this, and take a long, deep breath to the count of 10. Stop, and exhale SLOWLY. Concentrating on your breathing slows everything down and gives you that relaxing feeling. And if you do this for just a few minutes, you’ll be mastering a fundamental meditation technique.
Meditate on Life
Talking of meditation, if you thought it was all about Buddhist temples, incense, and hours of silent contemplation, you’d be wrong. You can start a meditative practice by just being mindful – being aware of your surroundings, even your body. If you have time, one good meditation is to focus on one part of your body at a time; for example, how do your toes feel right now? Are you relaxed or tense? Warm, cold? Are they enclosed in footwear or bare? Work your way along your body, breathing slowly in and out as you go.
Take it further using one of the many free visualization and meditation downloads available and spend a few minutes focussing on YOU.
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Get Outside and Relax
If you work indoors, the chances are that you skip lunch and don’t get outside anywhere near nature for most of your working day. The outdoors is a natural relaxant, and getting some green space is a surefire way to calm any stressful feelings. If you live or work near a park, beach, or river, get down there as often as possible and breathe in that fresh air to achieve that relaxed feeling. Beaches are perfect for relaxing and de-stressing, plus the sound of the waves and the effects of the negative ions in the atmosphere positively impact many people.
Brilliant Massage & Skin
Burlington, Vermont