The Importance of Relaxation
Relaxation is our body and mind’s way to heal, rejuvenate, and release tension and stress. Finding time to relax now-a-days can be very hard. Oftentimes, in between juggling multiple projects such as work, school, exercise, family, etc, we forget about ourselves. There have been many studies done that shows the negative repercussions that occur on our bodies when we don’t take time out to relax. This includes fatigue, insomnia, mood changes, and it could potentially cause certain diseases.
What does it actually mean to relax?
To ‘relax’ doesn’t just mean to take a nap or watch TV, but to invest time into something that you enjoy doing. This could mean going for a walk or hanging out with your friends. In a study done called The Longevity Project, the results showed that people who lived the busiest lives tend to live longer and this is because they knew how to channel their stresses and tensions elsewhere instead of internally. The main issue is learning how to positively deal with a heavy workload or other things that cause stress in your life. A person doesn’t become less productive or mentally exhausted by having too many things to do, but instead, it is their outlook on the situation.
“The truth is that challenging work is not unhealthy unless you do not have the personal and social resources to deal with it. When you are feeling very anxious and stressed, you are already ill. The ‘stress’ is not causing the illness, it is part of the illness. The secret is to do those things that provide a balance in life and keep us involved in meaningful ways. Prioritize.”
So, ask yourself, what is it that I enjoy doing? Create a list of ten things, five that can be done daily and five that can’t (like a vacation). From the list that can be done daily, make time each day to incorporate one item, even if you have a busy schedule planned. And each month, try to make time to incorporate an item from the list that cannot be done daily. This technique puts aside time each day for yourself and you have something to constantly look forward to. Overtime, this will help positively change your mentality on many things because you won’t be forgetting to include yourself in your priorities.
Why should we relax?
Giving our bodies and our mind the time to ‘unwind’ each day is the key to living a happy and healthier life. Studies show that relaxation lowers the risk for depression, anxiety, and other heart-related problems. It also boosts our immune system and improves our overall mood.
If you find yourself saying things like “I’m too busy to relax.” or “I don’t have the time for that today.” then the only person you are making excuses for is yourself. You’re cheating yourself out of being a better you. So don’t make excuses and just relax.