Meditating Throughout the Summer
Meditating in a summer environment can help you focus on the continuation of life. There is great beauty to be found in existence, and there is a season for everything. As you work to internalize an innate understanding of nature , you’ll be more likely to feel peaceful, complete, and where you should be in your life. When you meditate, you can use your surroundings to help you. Many people try to block out the world and simply look within themselves when they meditate. This can be very useful, but there are also other ways in which you can practice meditation. While you may want to avoid noisy streets and other distractions, you can certainly use warmth and nature to your benefit.
Warmth and Meditation
In order to meditate more easily and focus on what matters to you, you should be comfortable. That means sitting or lying somewhere that makes you happy and peaceful, but it also means enjoying the right temperature. If you’re too distracted on the fact that you’re too chilly, meditation will be more difficult for you. You can escape that challenge by staying warm and cozy during meditation.
The summer is ideal for meditating because the days are longer and the nights are warm. The soft noises of crickets and other small creatures can bring you peace and make you feel more connected with the world around you. As you start to relax and feel more comfortable, the warmth will help you focus on harmony and joy.
Avoid meditating in the extreme heat, as that can make you feel worse and result in a heat stroke. Instead, find a place where it’s simply warm and comforting.
Evenings in the summertime are often good for meditation, and the pitter-patter of rain can be peaceful as well. If you live in a desert environment, rain can bring about relief, great joy, and a deep appreciation for nature that you can use to help focus your meditation.
Grow and Develop Throughout the Summer Months
The object of meditation is growth, and the summer months provide several factors that you can use to speed that growth along, such as:
- Warmth
- Longer days
- Quiet, restful, peaceful nights
- Occasional rainstorms to renew and refresh you
- A break from school or work
- A stronger bond with nature and existence
There are many ways you can benefit from the warmth of summer when you want to meditate. The longer days are often helpful, and perhaps you’ll vacation, so you may have lower stress levels than you otherwise would. Even if you’re not able to take a break from work or school, you can still use meditation to help you feel better, calmer, and more relaxed.
Focus your mind on the beauty that summer has to offer. Blooming plants, quiet nights, small creatures and insects, rain, and the joy of being part of the cycle of life and existence can all be wonderful triggers for meditation and help bring peace and happiness.
Use what works for you. Everyone is different, and meditation is a very personal experience. The way one person uses the summer might not be the same way someone else uses it. Your meditation time is your own special getaway. Take the warmth, peace, and beauty of summer and use it in the way that feels most comfortable to you.
How to Rejuvenate Yourself After Burnout
If you are suffering from burnout, you’ll likely be looking for ways to restore your peace, health, and happiness. It’s important to treat yourself lovingly after such a trauma to your system so you don’t develop chronic health conditions.
Burnout can cause all sorts of mental and emotional issues, including anxiety and depression. You should try to recognize the signs that lead to burnout, but this may not always be possible. If you concentrate on restoring yourself after burnout, you can avoid these issues and get your true self back.
Consider these burnout tips to help you regain your strength:
- Find a new direction. The best, most permanent, way of dealing with burnout is to focus on making sustainable life changes. Ask yourself whether or not you’re happy in your current situation. Perhaps it’s time to make a major life shift, such as a new career or downsizing your home.
- Take a break. It’s best to get away from the situation that has caused you to burn out. This may mean going out for a walk and getting away for a few hours, or it may mean giving yourself a full blown vacation.
- You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money for a vacation. Your goal is to relax and clear your mind. You can certainly do this at home or in your local community.
- Solve the problem. If you’re currently in the middle of a stressful situation, take action to solve the problem right away as best as you can. Consider the possible solutions to the problem and ask for help from others if necessary.
- Gain control. Take control of the situation where possible. Realize that you can solve your problems and you’re not doomed to remain in this state forever. Also, have the wisdom to accept that there are situations that are beyond your control.
- Do what you can to improve your situation, but avoid worrying about the things out of your control.
- Be open and honest. Sometimes it’s best to set your pride aside and ask for help when you need it. Open up about the issues you’re facing with a close friend or relative. If that’s not an option for you, seek the help of a counselor.
Stress Management
If burnout tends to be a common occurrence for you, it would be in your best interest to start studying some stress management techniques.
There are certain things you can do to combat stress:
- Don’t take on too much at work or at home.
- Remember that you can – and should – tell people “no.”
- Make time for yourself.
- Ask for help from others.
Know Your Warning Signs
Once you’ve suffered burnout, you’ll certainly want to know how you can avoid a similar situation in the future. Study the factors that led to burnout, and identify your mistakes so you can avoid making them again in the future.
In the End
These strategies will help you regain peace with yourself. If there are any outstanding issues that you need to resolve, seek solutions so you can achieve peace. You can do so through self-reflection, prayer, meditation, and communication. And once you do, you’ll avoid burnout altogether!
Finding Serenity in Nature
During
the summer, do you think about getting outdoors more, but then have trouble
actually following through? If you feel overworked and stressed, it’s time to
find your inner peace again. But how can you find serenity in a calamitous
world?
Take a deep breath and head outdoors to your favorite national park, local walking trail, bird estuary, or forest. You’ll recapture your sense of calm when you spend some time in nature.
Follow these tips:
- Be comfortable. Dress comfortably and take plenty of beverages and snacks.This is easy if you’re driving the car to your special nature spot. Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Avoid distractions. If you take your cell phone, turn it on silent mode to avoid being alarmed by its ringtone. For now, you plan to exchange your own world for that of the park or forest.
- Walk on well-marked paths. Make sure you can find your way back.
- Forget about the noise going on in your head. Allow the stressful thoughts to float away. Just let go of all the pressures. You’re in one of your favorite places now. No worries exist there!
- Listen to the sounds that surround you. Maybe the trees are rustling in the wind, the birds are singing, or you hear an animal call.
- Use visual cues to relax. Leave your world behind. Look around and notice all the green trees. See the dirt path, the tiny ants crawling on a log, and the spider web.
- Steep yourself in the smells of your surroundings. What is that fragrance? A hint of honeysuckle? The woodsy fragrance of pine? Breathe in and breathe out consciously.
- The physicals sensations come next. Are the leaves of a bush lightly brushing your arms? Are you challenged to keep your footing on the bumpy path? Physically coming into contact with nature is an important part of the experience, in addition to the sights, sounds and smells.
- Look for the critters in the woods. Maybe you’ll spot a raccoon or a squirrel. Observing other mammals is fascinating and you’ll learn something every time you watch an animal.
- Notice the birdcalls. Perhaps two or more birds are talking to one another.
- Be aware of what the air feels like. You can most likely tell that summer is here. It’s a clean, fresh, crisp feeling with a hint of heat in most places. Maybe the sun is shining or perhaps you’re deep in a thicket of trees where it’s dank and mossy.
- Visit a pine forest. If you’re lucky enough to live within driving distance of a pine tree forest, consider visiting this awesome example of nature’s Zen experiences. Sit down on a bed of pine needles and just be.
- Think about gratitude. What are you grateful for in your life? Focus on the simple things. “I love my chair in the living room with my books piled high next to it.” “I’m grateful for the sunset I see each evening from my kitchen window.” “I’m grateful for having eyes to see and hands that work for me.”
- Reflect on your accomplishments. Toward the end of your nature visit, give yourself a pat on the back for a difficult situation you’ve made it through recently.
- Enjoy the peace. Realize that right at this moment, you feel a sense of calm, peacefulness, and serenity that you can return to any time you want, simply by visiting this wonderful corner of nature.
Immerse yourself in the experiences of nature. Allow yourself to be keenly aware of the sights, sounds, smells, and atmosphere around you. No matter where your favorite outdoors spots are, visit them regularly to return to what’s most important: You!
6 Incredible Health Benefits Of Mindfulness
By Greg Thurston
Creator of Seven Minute Mindfulness
“Mindfulness” is a bit of a buzz word right now, but that doesn’t mean that you should discredit it. Being mindful is one of the best things you can do for your body and mind!
But you might not be sure what it is. Is mindfulness just being more aware? Or does it mean clearing your mind?
Being mindful, in one sense, is like simplifying things. Normally we try to multitask all day, worrying about 20 things while doing 10. That doesn’t work too well.
Being mindful means focusing on the present moment. Being fully here. It allows you to attend to what’s going on right around you and inside you. So it simplifies things because you can just enjoy the present moment.
You can mediate to be more mindful, and you can practice it throughout your day. Whatever you’re doing, give it all of your attention. Be proactive about putting down your other worries and being present in what you’re doing and who you’re with.
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Mindfulness a gift that we don’t give to ourselves much. In fact, our society teaches that we should be getting as much done as possible all the time, which leads to burnout, stress, health problems, and lower productivity.
Mindfulness, on the other hand, offers the opposite, so let’s take a look at all the benefits of mindfulness.
1. Mindfulness reduces stress
Let’s start with the biggie. In today’s world, we really battle stress from all sides.
If we carry around all the things we have to worry about, our mind never gets a break. That’s why so many people are completely burned out, feeling down, and stressed to the point of panic attacks or needing medication.
This kind of worrying steals away any chance of joy or relaxation in our day. You probably know how it goes: you’re sitting at your desk at work, stressed about a deadline, and also about a disagreement with your partner, and some tension you’re feeling with a coworker, and the company party you’re supposed to attend tonight…
Constantly carrying all of these things and feeling continued stress leads to:
- Restless sleep
- A racing mind
- Low energy
- Feeling irritable
- Feeing defensive
- Getting angry easier
- Panic attacks
- Constant panic
- Headaches, body aches, migraines
- Jaw pain from clenching teeth
- Tight shoulders and back pain
- Depression
As you can see, trying to keep everything on your mind leads to all kinds of problems, resulting in lower productivity and even worse things.
We might even feel guilty if we forget to worry about something. Do you ever do that? You’ll finally get absorbed in something and it feels really nice, but then you remember all the things that aren’t resolved, and you feel guilty for letting yourself have a few minutes.
But you need those minutes!
Being mindful and present will allow you to get absorbed in what you’re doing, give it your full attention so you can do better, and you’ll feel more clear and mentally energized.
Your body and brain wasn’t made to handle constant stress. It’s so much healthier to be present and put aside the other pressing thoughts.
Challenge yourself to be mindful in one activity a day: a walk, mediation, making a craft, writing, drawing, singing, or something else you enjoy.
See how it feels to let yourself be fully present with that one thing and not having thoughts about anything else. And then see how you feel the rest of the day.
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2. Mindfulness creates better health
Being mindful and present lowers our stress levels and also centers us, bringing many health benefits.
You might notice that you’re calmer after practicing mindfulness, your head feels more clear and focused, you’re more productive, and more alert.
Being mindful greatly benefits your mind, and that in turn benefits your body and overall health.
People who practice being mindful have higher brain function, an increased immune function, lower blood pressure, lower anxiety levels, and are more calm.
We’ve heard this for years, but experts were talking about meditation and yoga. Both of those are ways to be mindful!
3. Mindfulness decreases depression symptoms
When you decrease stress and improve your health, that can help with depression.
Mindfulness does that and more. It’s been considered an effective part of overall depression treatment for a long time.
Being mindful often helps people see and acknowledge their feelings, and that leads to better coping. Being mindful and let you say, “I see that I’m feeling that way, and that’s okay.”
Being mindful engages the observant self, so you can notice how you’re feeling, and what you’re thinking, but not get completely sucked into those feelings. You can step back and analyze the situation better.
4. Mindfulness increases Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is one of those fun words (in my opinion) that show you what they mean. Neuro, or brain, plus plasticity, or being flexible.
Think about how plastic can be soft and pliable.
Being mindful helps your brain increase its ability to change and adapt, which is pretty important to our survival even though we’re not back in the caveman era.
In a simple sense, neuroplasticity refers to how our brain grows, learns, and changes. When we change our mind or learn new things, we actually make new pathways.
But this has bigger scientific implications. When someone has a stroke and has to relearn how to walk, they’re actually learning how to re-circuit their brain around the damaged area.
Imagine how much stronger your brain will be if you practice mindfulness and therefore improve neuroplasticity. That’s a huge advantage for dealing with all of life’s curves and for any brain damage you might suffer.
5. Mindfulness helps you deal with illness
Studies have found that mindfulness helps people with cancer and people with chronic illness-even terminal illness.
I can see why being in the moment more would help someone enjoy life day by day. Research has found that mindfulness helps cancer patients reduce stress while relieving fatigue.
For many, mindfulness increases our spirituality and sense of purpose, and it helps people handle their emotions regarding their illness.
Mindfulness can greatly improve life for people with chronic pain, such as low back pain. It helps patients focus on something other than the pain.
6. Mindfulness helps recovery
We’ve seen all the ways mindfulness benefits our mental and emotional health. It also helps us physically when we need to recover from illness.
This is probably due to all the other benefits of being mindful.
We have better focus, we’re less stressed, we feel more at peace, and so we’re happier.
We’ve talked about some big areas where mindfulness helps. To zoom in a bit, here’s a list of more specific ways that being mindful improves our lives:
- Better mental health
- Less stress at work
- Better emotional regulation
- Less problems with alcohol and drugs
- Less depression and anxiety
- Better performance at school and work
- Better relationships
- Better self awareness
- Less burnout
- Better able to cope with ups and downs
- More resilience
We’re just healthier when we’re more mindful, because people aren’t really made to multitask 5 things all day long and always worry.
We can benefit from slowing down and enjoying the present moment. Why let other things detract from what you’re doing? You can give those other things your attention in due time.
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How to Write Your Own Affirmations
Affirmations are used by many people, and they have the strong ability to lift your spirits to get through hard times. They are also good to set your mindset for relaxation and help ease stress.
Affirmations help us to keep a positive attitude about life. It’s only natural that we’ll get more out of these positive sayings if we formulate them ourselves. Writing our own affirmations makes them personal to us, which can then help us to get through our own individual situations.
When you start writing your own affirmations, keep these tips in mind:
- Make them personal. When you write affirmations, it’s important to remember to use “I” in them. They are personal to you after all.
- Example: “I am having an exceptional day today!”
- Use the present tense. Affirmations are built in order to change our feelings now, which is why you want to stay positive and strong in this moment. When you use the past tense, you get nostalgic. When you use the future tense, you get hopeful. The present tense helps you feel the difference right now.
- Example: “I am feeling relaxed.”
- Be down to earth. This just means to use your own style and try not to make your affirmations too formal or wishy-washy. You want to capture your own voice.
- Bad Example: “Presently I feel the urge to enjoy my existence.”
- Good Example: “I enjoy my life.”
- Be short. Affirmations are meant to be short, simple and sweet. Stay on target and make your affirmation a one-liner. If it’s too wordy, try breaking it up into a few affirmations. The trick is to stick with one simple idea at a time.
- Example: “I am in perfect health.”
- Make it positive. Affirmations are positive statements, so avoid negative words like “not.” You’re using affirmations to make a life improvement and positive statements motivate you to make this improvement.
- Example: “I am at peace with my mind.”
- Make it believable. You don’t want your affirmation to sound like something out of this world. If it’s not believable, you won’t take it seriously and your subconscious will just dismiss it.
- Example: “I am choosing to be happy today.”
Believe in the Power of Affirmations
When you say your affirmations, believe them to be true. Affirmations are truly powerful sets of words as long as you believe what you’re telling yourself.
Affirmations alone have been known to help people cure addictions. Women even use them during childbirth to help them stay calm and collected during natural delivery.
First, set your eyes on your goal and then write your affirmations to get yourself there.
Write Them Down
Practice always makes perfect. Write down the affirmations you’re feeling. Then go over the list above and make sure that your affirmations follow the rules. Once they do, start using your affirmations and feel the difference. Say your affirmations to yourself daily. Take deep breaths and keep your eyes on your goal.
Also if need be, tweak your affirmations. These positive sayings aren’t written in stone, so as you change, your affirmations can change, too.
It’s best to keep your affirmations in a place where you can see them. You can simply keep a list in your pocket or you can post them around the house. Paste them on the bathroom mirror, on your computer, or wherever you know you’ll see them each day.
Affirmations can make all the difference in reaching your goals. Give them a try and enjoy the benefits these positive statements can make in your life.
Meditation For Relaxation
What is Meditation?
Meditation is being practiced by many people for relaxation. It is a method of quieting and controlling the mind. Meditation helps control our thoughts and helps create a distance from stressful situations in our daily life. It’s about transforming the mind and the way you think, to become aware of yourself and your surroundings while separating your consciousness from the struggles and activities of your life.
Meditation has a calming effect on your body and your thoughts. It helps you to stop thinking and shows you how to just “be”, in an aware state of mindfulness. You slow your mind chatter by just being in the moment, noticing thoughts and putting them to the side until you just are conscious but your mind is still.
Meditation is a great way to quiet your mind and think of what to do in important life choices. By listening on a deeper level you will get a truer sense of what your real desire is. Research has demonstrated that meditating for a short time increases alpha waves, which makes us feel more relaxed, while simultaneously decreasing our feelings of anxiety and depression.
There are many different ways to practice meditation, with each having a different goal and effect on the relaxing the body and relaxing the mind. Many people have different reasons for learning to meditate, so first, think about your reason. This will help you know which direction you want your first meditations to go and give you an objective for each. This is to say, a general goal such as relaxation, or how you can cope with a problem at work, or even, to think about what you want to do with your life.
When To Meditate
You can meditate whenever you want to. Each time of the day has its own reason. After you wake up in the morning is when your mind is at its calmest because you have not entered into the day and all its activities. Also, you have just slept, so it is most likely you will not go to sleep while meditating.
In the evening, as the activity of the day is winding down, so you, too, are winding down and it is easier for some to relax and do some meditation. Sunset seems an ideal time and it is thought that a metaphysical doorway opens then. If you have a quiet place in your home, then make a meditation center for yourself there. Outdoors is always an alternative, but is weather dependent.
Types of Relaxation Meditation Techniques
There are different types of meditation. Many people are practicing meditation these days to quiet their mind, to be able to reflect and experience a state of calmness and relaxation that is otherwise difficult to achieve in this hectic modern world. Some people choose a type of meditation depending on convenience while others choose the ones that bring them closer to achieving their specific goals for doing that particular practice.
Below are some examples of the types of relaxation meditation techniques that people utilize to improve their well-being.
Mindfulness Meditation. Mindfulness meditation is based on being mindful, that is, having an increased awareness of and acceptance of living in the present moment. It means paying attention to what you are doing in the present, rather than living on autopilot
Guided Meditation. Sometimes called visualization, this method of meditation encourages you to form mental images of places or situations you find relaxing. You try to use as many senses as possible, such as smells, sights, sounds and textures, to calm the mind, and focus it. It is a good way to get into a more meditative state. Its goal is relaxation and peace. It can be done with mindfulness meditation.
Focused Meditation. Focused Meditation is also known to by some people as Attention Meditation Technique. Although this meditation technique requires one to focus on one thing and exclude any other thoughts from their mind, it doesn’t force the person meditating to try too hard.
Zen Meditation. This is a type of seated meditation. You sit quietly with the legs crossed and the eyes closed. and focus on your surroundings instead of your thoughts. You simply get into your mind to clear it out, focusing on your breathing, and not saying a word. It is a silent meditation where you gradually get deeper and deeper into your subconscious to clear it out and try to become at peace with yourself. This is one of the most difficult types of meditation because you are relying solely on your ability to be quiet and focus on nothing
Chakra Meditation. Chakra Meditation involves inward reflection and self-evaluation to align of the chakra in the body, which are different forms of energy that together compile the whole of your existence and your perception of yourself. The belief system behind this form of meditation states that there are seven different chakra that comprise the different elements your being, chief among which is the chakra of the heart.
Movement Meditation. This type of meditation technique allows an individual to perform several gentle and repetitive flowing movements. Instead of focusing on a certain thought or object, movement meditation brings your focus to each movement you make. This is when you become mindful of the motion of your muscles and your contact with external surfaces. The more you practice this type of meditation the more that you become aware of the movement of energy within your body and the way it responds to a stimulus such as music.
Mantra Meditation. A mantra may consist of a word or phrase that is being chanted out loud or silently repeated as the focus of meditation. It is a Sanskrit word in which “man” means mind and “tra” means instrument. In other words, your chosen mantra will become an instrument of your mind.
The more you repeat your mantra, the more relaxed you get and the more you can clear your mind. For some people, sitting in complete silence causes their mind to wander. If you repeat your mantra, it can also help you to get to deeper levels of awareness, which is also used in other types of meditation.
Yoga Nidra. Despite its name, Yoga Nidra is not a form of yoga, as most people understand it. Rather than being about a specific set of stretches and actions, Yoga Nidra is about maintaining the highest amount of mental and physical relaxation possible. It is a type of meditation that focuses on turning the majority of the senses inward in order to create a high level of self-awareness, rather than directing all conscious and sensory awareness on the outside world.
The main difference between Yoga Nidra and other forms of meditation is that it relies on a set of external auditory commands, such as instruction by a yogi or a set of recordings, to guide you into the state of relaxation.
Mindfulness in the Winter for Self-Care
The cold, grey days and long, dreary nights of winter are an ideal time to establish a mindfulness practice. Mindfulness is helpful in dealing with stress and other challenges such as anxiety and depression, and it is an effective self-care tool that can easily be applied by anyone, anywhere. Whether one has been an adherent of mindfulness for many years or is a novice, there are practices that can be incorporated into daily life that can help to bring a sense of calm and peace to both our inner and outer beings. Some practical ways to practice mindfulness in the winter include the following:
Sitting Meditation
Perhaps the most well-known mindfulness technique, sitting meditation essentially involves quieting your mind and recognizing your emotions. By doing this, we can honor our feelings while at the same time learn not to be controlled by them. By bringing stillness to our minds, we can stay in the present moment. We allow ourselves to pause and to relax, to restore harmony and balance to our lives.
There are many methods of sitting mediation to choose from. The most basic technique calls for a meditator to find a quiet place to sit, close his or her eyes, and focus on his or her breath. Thoughts will race through a meditator’s mind, and that is perfectly normal and acceptable. When this happens, one simply needs to return to focusing on breathing in and breathing out. Although it can be difficult to find time to meditate in our hectic lives, even taking five or ten minutes in the morning or evening can prove to be very valuable.
Breathing
Many people find that a mindfulness practice that involves intentional breathing does wonders. The act of breathing in and breathing out at a controlled pace helps to regulate our heart rhythms and keeps us from hyperventilating, which can be miraculous in extremely stressful situations. Learning proper breathing techniques is an essential form of mindfulness self-care.
One popular breathing procedure is known as “4-7-8 Relaxing” breathing. One inhales for a count of 4, holds one’s breath for a count of 7, and then exhales for a count of 8. Repeating this behavior for a few cycles can bring rapid relief to an overburdened mind and body.
Explore Nature
The shorter, darker days of winter can be difficult to endure. Although it seems counterintuitive to venture outside into the cold, getting outside to explore and spend time in nature is one of the most healing gifts that we can give ourselves. Being exposed to even a little sunlight, along with getting exercise, increases our feelings of contentment. Walking through the woods or going to the park are incredible ways to explore nature in the winter.
We can incorporate mindfulness into our nature explorations by pausing to examine what we see while outside. Notice the birds that are still around. Look at the shapes of the icicles hanging from the trees. Feel the wind on your face. Taking a moment to appreciate nature is an incredible form of mindfulness.
Self-care in winter revolves around activities that can be done indoors. The extra time that we spend at home provides us with the time and space to implement changes. Practicing mindfulness is a crucial step in staying stress-free and calm during the winter.
How to Care for Yourself in the Winter
Winter can be a beautiful and thoughtful season, but it’s often difficult to enjoy it with the cold temperature and various illnesses in the air. Luckily, it’s entirely possible to enjoy a picturesque winter season with a few simple steps! Here are some self-care tips you need to enjoy winter today.
Staying Healthy and Warm
One of the most difficult things about winter is the high-probability of getting sick. Whether it’s a sore throat, stuffy nose, or dangerous flu, you’ll want to protect yourself while still enjoying the season’s benefits. While flu vaccinations and over the counter medicines are common, these tips can help protect you while also being enjoyable by themselves!
First, you’ll want to keep your body and home warm throughout the season. This seems obvious, but it requires more than just a sweater and heater. Make sure to wear socks indoors to keep your body temperature down, and sip on warm tea throughout the day. Avoid caffeinated teas in the evenings and instead choose something calming like chamomile.
As the temperature drops, you’ll also find that the air gets drier as well. This can cause your throat and sinuses to get scratchy which also leaves you more susceptible to common colds. To prevent this, get an air humidifier and add some pleasant natural oils into the mix. Oils like lavender, lemon, or peppermint can open your airways and keep you relaxed throughout the season. Plus, a humidifier makes your room’s air moister which will keep your sinuses clear no matter the temperature outside!
Taking Care of Your Mental Health
Depending on where you live, the winter may bring subzero temperatures and occasional snowstorms. When the sun isn’t present for long periods of time, your body begins to produce less vitamin D. When you have a vitamin D deficiency, you may experience mood swings along with other symptoms like depression, lethargy, and insomnia. To help, try a small vitamin D supplement to keep your levels stable throughout the darker months.
Your mental health can also improve through regular exercise. While you may not be able to run outside, you can practice yoga or body weight fitness inside of your home in any season! Do some daily pushups, jog in place, or simply shake out your arms throughout the day. Even the smallest amount of exercise can go a long way in keeping your mind and body healthy during the winter.
Arts, Crafts, and Literature
You may spend more time inside during the winter months, but that doesn’t mean you have to be bored! Find some unique activities or games that you can play inside to stay busy. This could be a new board game or something more personal like arts and crafts. Learn how to draw, or reignite a passion for a craft that you haven’t enjoyed in a while. Plus, nothing’s better than diving into a long and well-written book during the winter! Have some hot chocolate, curl up in a blanket, and enjoy that book you’ve always been meaning to read.
While the winter may not be everyone’s favorite season, it can be an enjoyable time if you put your mind to it. Plus, you can get some festive and colorful lights to hang indoors so you can always enjoy the warmth of the season. By following these tips, you’ll be sure to have a wonderful winter season without worries!
What Does It Mean To Be In A Truly Relaxed State?
Relaxation and the ability to be relaxed is a very powerful tool in life. Think about it, people say all the time, when your anxious ‘just relax’, or when you’re about to feel pain and you know it, people say ‘just relax’ and when you are about to speak in front of a large group of people, you say to yourself ‘Just relax’.
At even deeper levels, relaxation has the ability to show you something about yourself that most people wouldn’t believe unless they saw it for themselves. We will get to that later on.
What Is Relaxation?
When you are letting go of worry and concern in your mind, you experience greater degrees of relaxation. On the other-hand when you are encouraging worry and concern in your mind you, experience greater degrees of tension. When people learn to meditate in order to experience inner peace they are encouraged to relax.
When people enter into deep states of hypnosis, first they are taken through a process of relaxation. However, what is it exactly? It’s a silly question really, but the answer is this: Relaxation is the action of releasing tension in the muscles of the body.
Mental relaxation is the action of releasing tension in the thought process, done in various forms of meditation and hypnosis discipline.
So How Can We Make Use Of Relaxation?
Relaxation is something that can be employed by any of us, at any time in our lives. It is a tool that is very useful for dealing with situations and encounters that cause us mental anguish of any kind. It can also help us to experience a greater sense of well-being in our daily lives. Without tension, without stress, we experience greater peace. Inner peace is brought about by a relaxation in the mind and spirit.
At night, we can learn to go through a form of self-hypnosis exercise whereby we release the activities and attachments of the world by encouraging our bodies, mind, and spirits to let go, to relax and just let things be.
The positive effects of this type of mental training must be experienced to be believed, but needless to say, it is one of the most powerful tools we can have in our arsenal for encouraging greater health and wellness.
The Practice
Do these exercises at night when you go to bed, when all of the days’ work is done and there is nothing else left that requires your personal attention. It can be employed during the day also, but make sure you will have at least half an hour to yourself in an environment where you won’t be disturbed or interrupted.
Silence your phone, turn off the T.V, wear something warm, and find yourself a nice comfortable spot to lie down.
- When you are lying down, allow yourself to relax and focus on your breath.
- Pay attention to the feeling in your feet and allow every muscle in them to relax.
- Slowly move your attention up into your calves and do the same thing. Breathe slowly and allow all the muscles from your calves downwards to relax.
- Move your attention slightly higher into your thighs and buttocks and do the same. Let everything relax.
- Continue the process until you have covered, bit by bit, the entire length of your body, from foot to head.
- Be aware of your breathing. Just breathe naturally and allow every muscle in your body to be in this relaxed state of awareness for as long as you like, or as long as you can.
Doing this exercise will develop your ability to be relaxed and you will learn that everything that happens to you in the world, develops a certain amount of tension in your body and mind, and doing this particular exercise will allow all of that tension to slowly dissolve.
Practicing this properly can give you insight into the nature of meditation and has even lead some people to have unexplainable mystical experiences. However, the main aim with this is to uncover for yourself a truly relaxed state.
Once you get the hang of this practice, you can even take it with you into your everyday life, while going about your daily business. Focus on your body and encourage your muscles to stay relaxed, by consciously relaxing them.
Advanced students of this practice will even do it while in stressful situations, combined with ‘breathing focus exercises’ to support their state of relaxation, they can face challenges and stressful situations to a degree much higher than most other people.
In terms of being alive today in the stressful world of the 21st century, developing your own truly relaxed state is a tool that is well worth forging within your body, mind, and spirit.
