Feeling frazzled?
Ain’t got time for a relaxing soak, sauna or massage when your flight just got cancelled?
Switch-off your ‘stress response’ and switch-on your ‘relaxation response’.
When you’re about to lose it… try these Easy-Peasy relaxation tactics.
… btw, (some of) these are great to use during traffic jams too:
- Just Breathe – Get High.
Pump up your oxygen. Take a few deep breaths.
Breathe deeply in thru your nose for a count of 4 and out thru your mouth for a count of 6. Do this 10 times or until you pass out. 🙂 - Your Nose Knows – Take a Whiff Straight From the Bottle.
Do freshly baked cookies or a lavender candle take you to your happy place?
Soothing scents stimulate smell receptors that regulate emotions.
Choices, heck yah… Chamomile, Ginger, Lemon, Peppermint, Frankincense, Cedar wood, Citrus, Vanilla, Lavender (to name a few). Place a few drops in the palm of your hands, rub hands together, inhale & combine this with ‘Just Breathe’ for a great combo. - Get a Move On – Get Footloose.
Go for a 10 Minute Walk.
Even a short stroll will clear your head & boost endorphins. - Shift Your Focus – Daydream.
Picture a peaceful scene: your favorite beach, your favorite movie, something that makes you feel happy. Creative Visualization is a real thing ~ Déjà vu - Gut Instinct – Hangry?
Snack (but snack well).
Pick a snack that will fill you up – without the sugar rush.
Try Trail Mix, a Banana or the new fad; Beef (or Turkey) Jerky.
Just a few minutes of chewing can actually reduce anxiety and lower cortisol levels. - Tune In & Tune Out – Rhythm is Gonna Get’cha.
Any music that you love will flood your brain with feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine.
Don’t have your headphones handy? Try humming (or sing like nobody’s listening). - Balls & Silly Putty – Grown-Up Toys.
You can get an impromptu relaxing foot massage by rubbing your feet back and forth over a golf or tennis ball.
Silly Putty is an easy, portable, and non-violent way to relieve tension. - Squeeze, Release, Repeat – Get Tense.
a.k.a. Progressive Relaxation – tense the muscles in one body part at a time to achieve a state of calm.
This method (also used by actors) is a great way to help fall asleep ~ but be sure to catch your flight first.
Calming ways are not ‘one-size fits all’…
…you’ll find me with my headphones on & daydreaming, while my husband strolls and snacks.
Soothe your mind and body ~ Do what you can to Be Happy.
Stay Calm & Travel On,
~ Beckie
p.s. Here’s a quote I’ve adopted: ‘The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.’ -Sydney J. Harris