Guest Post by Marie Miguel 

The Benefits of Relaxation

 Relaxing yourself has quite a few benefits, and these include:

• Reducing the amount of stress you have. By relaxing, you have time to unwind and untangle any stresses and come back to the source of the stress or with the feeling of being able to conquer it.
• Clearing your mind. Sometimes, it’s hard to think straight when you’re not relaxed. By relaxing, your mind clears up and you can think clearer.
• Relaxing yourself is a good sleep ritual. If you go to bed stressed or full of energy, it can be hard to sleep. Your racing mind will keep you up, or your energy will make you want to go out. Relaxing an hour before bedtime may help you to sleep better and faster.

With that said, how can you relax? There are quite a few ways to help you relax, and they’re all easy to do. These include:

Taking a Bath

 A warm bath can help relax your muscles and calm your mind. It’s great to have after work or before bed as the perfect way to unwind. As you bathe, you can have some time to reflect upon the day, too.

With a bath, you can go basic and just take a bath, or enhance the experience with candles, aromas, or bubbles. There are Epsom salts you can get to make you feel good as well. The bath is perhaps one of the most versatile ways of relaxation for this very reason, so if you feel like taking one, you won’t regret it.

Breathing Exercises

Of course, you can’t carry a bathtub and a supply of warm water everywhere you go. Sometimes, you may be at work or in another place where you need to relax. How can you be able to do that? One way is through breathing exercises.

Breathing exercises have been used for thousands of years to practice mindfulness, regulate the body, and relax. There are many breathing exercises for you to try, and one you can get started with is the 4-7-8 breathing exercise.

1. This name of the exercise comes from the number of seconds you need. First, you exhale all your air through your mouth.
2. Afterwards, you breathe in through your nose for four seconds.
3. Then, you hold your breath for seven seconds.
4. Finally, you exhale through your mouth for eight seconds.

Repeat as needed. This exercise will help you relax. It’s also a good way to help you sleep. By concentrating on breathing, it calms your mind and relaxes your body. If you’re having difficulty sleeping, try it sometime.

Music Therapy

Most of us have a smartphone on us. Why not use that to your advantage? Play your favorite relaxing music. You can play it on the phone, or use some headphones. Relaxing music can calm you down and untangle your mind after a long day. Music can help in other situations too. Upbeat music can help with working out, for example.

If you’re still over-stressed and can’t relax, it may be a sign of something else happening in your mind. Don’t be afraid to talk to a therapist or psychiatrist if you’re having difficulty relaxing. There is no shame in taking medication or asking for help. We all deserve some relaxation time, and they can help.

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.