Relaxing is about getting away from the stresses of daily life, if only for a short time. Anything that can help you to do that helps you to feel calmer and more at peace. Here are some ways for women to feel more relaxed in their daily lives.
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Meditation
Meditation is one of the best meditation techniques for anyone dealing with stress. Research shows that meditation helps to lower heart rate and blood pressure. It’s even been known to improve cognitive function and performance.
One of the best things about meditation is how simple it is. Just find somewhere comfortable, close your eyes and relax your muscles, and focus on one singular thing. This can be your breathing, a nearby object, or a picture in your mind. Meditation starts to show benefits within just ten minutes. The key to meditating is to stay focused and not let distractions enter your mind. Mindfulness is the key to successful meditation. If you’ve got the time for it, then consider joining a yoga class or doing Tai Chi – both of which combine meditation with physical activity.
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Green Tea
There’s no denying the soothing power of green tea. The theanine in green tea – the amino acid responsible for its flavor – helps to promote relaxation. Theanine could be considered the opposite of caffeine, as it also helps to counteract the stimulating effects of caffeine. Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages and opt for green tea instead, as caffeine makes you more stressed.
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Eat Serotonin-Boosting Foods
When we get stressed out, most of us will reach for carbohydrates such as cookies and candy and other sweet foods. These foods do help some women to relax, and the reason could be that we have reduced serotonin levels when stressed out. Serotonin is the brain chemical that keeps us relaxed and calm. It’s believed that consuming sweets helps to boost serotonin levels, which is why candy makes you feel calmer. There’s nothing wrong with eating sweets, as long as you stay on top of your portion sizes! Try to avoid eating more than 100-calorie servings. You don’t want to put on weight and have something else stressing you out!
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Create a Relaxation Room
Lots of spas come with relaxation rooms where guests can stay before and after a treatment. You can make one in your own home. It doesn’t even need to be a “room”. It could be a part of your bedroom dedicated to relaxation. The goal is to have a part of your home that is dedicated entirely to relaxation. Get a comfortable chair, dim the lights, light some candles, and do other things that relax you. It will give you the chance to decompress with minimal stimuli. Forget your laptop and cell phone. You’re here to relax. You could read a book or magazine if you want, but the goal is to relax.
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Listen to Some Music
Listening to music, especially soothing music, is very relaxing. Slow tempo music creates a calm state of mind, as well as reduce heart rate and blood pressure and relax your muscles. This is great when you’re coming home from a tough day at work or when you’re stuck in traffic. Music therapy has been connected to decreasing the anxiety associated with medical procedures too. A recent study showed that blood pressure and heart rate was reduced for people who listened to music during a colonoscopy compared to the control group.
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Aromatherapy Massage
Having a massage is one of the best ways to relax and get rid of tension. Adding aromatherapy oils to the mix, such as lavender or chamomile, makes the whole experience even better. One study showed that nurses working in emergency rooms had less stress when receiving aromatherapy massages. The study, which was published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing, showed that over half of emergency room staff were dealing with anxiety of a moderate to extreme nature. The number dropped to 8% when staff received an aromatherapy massage for 15 minutes. If you don’t have the time or money for a professional massage, you could buy your own massage tools and oils to use at home.
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Have a Hot Bath
Heat relaxes the muscles, and having a hot bath helps soothe the mind too. Get some of your favorite soaps and salts, grab a bath pillow, and line the room with candles. Throw in a few at-home spa treatments like facials to give yourself the ultimate home spa experience.
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Regular Exercise
Exercise might be one of the last things you want to do when you’re stressed and tired, but it does reduce stress and boost endorphin levels. Research has shown that just 20 minutes of moderate exercise a day is all that you need to get the great benefits of exercising.
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Weighted Blankets
A weighted blanket, as the name implies, is heavier than a standard blanket. They generally weigh between 4 and 30 pounds. For people with stress, anxiety, and insomnia, weighted blankets can provide a safer alternative treatment. One of the best weighted blanket can help reduce stress and anxiety in both adults and children by making it easier to relax and sleep well at night. They keep your body grounded as you sleep by pushing it downwards, a process that has a deeply soothing and calming effect. Weighted blankets can also stimulate deep pressure touch (DPT) – a kind of therapy that uses firm pressure to reduce stress and anxiety.
Summary
There are plenty of different ways to relax and unwind after a rough day. Put on some music, have a bath, go for a walk, or sleep under a weighted blanket. The key is to take a little time to yourself, for yourself, and get away from the world.