6 Strategies to Help You Relax

In my last post I explained why it can be so difficult to allow yourself to relax. In this post I want to dive a bit deeper and give you a number of things you can try and see if they recharge you.

There is no right or wrong answer here! Some of the strategies below might work for you, some won’t. Some might work for a certain level of tiredness, and some might only work when you have time to give to them. Approach this process from a place of curiosity not perfection!

• Habit stack deep breathing. One of the fastest ways to calm your nervous system is to take a few slow, deep breaths into your belly. But as you go about your day, running from one thing to the next, you might never be taking full breaths past your chest. So, identify some times when you can integrate this into something you’re already doing: your coffee is brewing, you’re taking a bathroom break, as you start your commute, before you eat a meal.
• Empty your thoughts in your journal or a voice note. Often our brains get caught in loops that can replay the same three ideas over and over—grinding you down with criticism or worry. It can be really helpful to give voice to these thoughts in order to move through them or see them differently. Take some time with your journal, apps note on your phone, or a voice note to yourself.
• Bring your focus to the present. It is incredibly common to finally find a moment to yourself and your brain brings up all the things you still have to get done that day, tomorrow, this week. Don’t let this internal sense of urgency break your “you time.” Gently bring your focus back to the moment you are in: what are you sitting on? Where is it against your body? What sounds can you hear? How can you make yourself even just 10% more comfortable?
• Mindful online consumption. Our smart phones, tablets, computers, and TVs can be relaxing… and also not. How often does your late-night scrolling make you feel worse about your habits, body, and income? This doesn’t just stop at social media: news outlets, forums, and unpredictable texts can leave you feeling depleted. Think about how to make the tech work for you! For example, put limits around who you get texts from in the evening or only watch TV shows at night that you know the ending to (our brain loves this predictability!).
• Set a timer for chores. I know we all have to get things done, so try this: set a time for 25-35 minutes and blitz through your to-do list. When the timer goes, you step away from the activity. This not only gives your brain a sense of accomplishment before relaxing, but also helps manage procrastination. And remember: you don’t need to be perfect; it just needs to get done.
• Use your senses to signal a shift. If you struggle to get into relaxation mode, use a ritual or repetitive action to signal to your body and brain that it is time to slow down. For example, light a scented candle, switch from overhead lights to a lamp, put on your comfiest clothes or pajamas. You might be surprised at how calming you find these cues after a while!

I want to leave you with this reminder: finding strategies and activities that help you relax is not selfish and you don’t have to earn rest! It is essential to all aspects of your well-being because it helps you be more present with others, resilient to challenges, and have more fuel for focus.

💛 Your peace awaits.