Personal Stress Management: Relaxation Strategies
Last Updated on August 2, 2020 by Smart Life Picks
Everyone deals with stress at some point in their life and is not a pleasant place to be. We experience stress when we’re overtired, when we’re sick, and when we’re outside of our safe and familiar environment. When our circumstances spin out of control, we feel stressed. And when our basic needs are not being met, we feel threatened and anxious.
It’s a plain fact that only you can help yourself overcome stress and the key to that starts with your mind. Without knowing it, the mind is the initial target of stress since everything that happens in our life is initially perceived and processed by our brain. Learning to control your chain of thoughts and a few relaxation tips can do wonder for your personal stress management.
Relax and say goodbye to stress
The first method in dealing with stress in your own personal way is to learn how to relax. It might not be much but professionals and therapists agree that being relaxed while in the throes of stress can help you find solutions in getting rid of it. There are plenty of methods that can help you relax, and you can choose one that will suit you best.
Music and dancing
It is true that the music soothes the savage beast, and your mind is definitely savage when under the influence of stress. Playing instrumental music or nature sounds can ease your mind and help you relax. Some would even recommend dancing to the melody of the music to release the tension that builds up in your body. Loosening all those tight muscles can help you relax as well as increasing the circulation of blood and oxygen into other areas of your body promoting a healthy outlet to stress.
Massage
The body and the mind are connected. The mind can perceive what the body can feel and vice versa. By pampering your body, you can help your mind relax and put you in a calm mood. Getting a massage is a great way to give your body a break, and your mind as well. Shiatsu can do wonders in getting those tired muscles out of your system which will help you feel balanced and energized afterward.
Aromatherapy massage can also help you relax. Being rubbed with scented oils like jasmine or lavender can help your mind relax while the soothing massage gently caresses your body.
Meditation of mind and body
The Bible, is filled with incredible promises from God. Meditating on these words of assurance can dispel our worry, doubt, fear, and stress. Here are just a few examples of the Bible’s stress relieving verses:.
Psalm 4:8
“I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.” (NLT)
2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (NIV)
Matthew 11:28-30
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” (NLT)
John 14:27
“I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (NLT)
Try to find a quiet place in your mind or in your office. You may sit down or lie down. Focus on each and every single area of your body and commanding them to relax with your mind. You might feel slightly heavy afterward since you are internally focused.
Try to visualize an object or phrase a question in your mind. Focus on it as long as necessary. Fleeting thoughts and scenes will flash through but pay them no heed. After a while, your mind will stop projecting images and you will feel as if you’re floating in total nothingness. You will feel refreshed after meditation and you will be ready to face stress in the face.
Physical exercise
One personal stress management technique that can dispel stress is to find an outlet for your mental and emotional burdens. Physical exercise is a highly recommended approach in dealing with stress and is incorporated by stress management clinics and workouts worldwide.
Since the mind and the body are connected, keeping it healthy will have a profound influence in your state of mind. Doing at least 4 times of physical exercise a week can improve your cardiovascular functions and strengthen your heart.
This will help you avoid the effects of stress like stroke, high blood pressure, muscle pains, and so on.