Take Time to Relax

I have been running my Embrace Relaxation and Meditation classes for almost a year now, and have had some great feedback on the impact the classes have had on the participants. Today I want to share how relaxation can help you too.

Nowadays many of us are living increasingly busy lives; juggling demanding work schedules and an active home life, all within the presence of social media. It can be difficult to switch off, even after a long day’s work.

We all know that burning the candle at both ends can leave us exhausted, both mentally and physically, and as an ex-primary school teacher I have experienced it myself. My hectic work demands were leaving me feeling more and more stressed. I now know that constantly having high levels of adrenaline in the body lowers the immune system, leaving the health at risk.

Although exercise and diet were on my radar, I didn’t really think relaxation was relevantfor me. I had an enjoyable social life and I thought that was enough. But I became very ill and after all of the medication and treatment got me on the road to recovery; I decided to take a more active role in my health, with the emphasis on prevention.

The key issue was deciding to take charge, and ultimately responsibility for the body and mind in which I was living, and to encourage and nurture my own wellness. I now build in time to relax every day, and it has changed the way I live my life.

My Top Ten Tips for Relaxing

 

1. Take control of your time and allocate a section in your day – even if it’s a few minutes, to empty your mind.
2. Walk or sit outside during daylight hours. Give yourself ten minutes of uninterrupted quiet. Leave your phone and headphones in your bag and just breathe.
3. Switch off gadgets with screens and apps for a short time every day. The world will carry on, and you can have a break and go back when you’re ready. Screen-free time is very important for children too.
4. Listen to relaxing instrumental music for five minutes while you breathe deeply. Doing this before bedtime helps slow down brainwaves and aid restful sleep.
5. Talk to and spend time with people who make you feel good. Being around positive people is relaxing.
6. Take regular outdoor breaks. Studies have shown that when smokers take a cigarette break, it is as much the act of going away from their desk that relaxes them, as the actual cigarette. So take a break outside, ditching the cigarettes and breathing in fresh air instead!
7. Stretching works wonders for your body and mind! Change positions regularly and have a stretch.
8. Get things off your chest by verbalising them or writing them down. If you can have a chat with someone else, even better. Get it out, then move on.
9. When you are going around in circles, it’s time to take a break. Switch to a task that is easy and automatic, allowing your mind to relax. Then go back to the original task refreshed.
10. Drinking plenty of water keeps everything working properly including the relaxation response. This response is built-in to your system; you just need to give yourself the chance to enjoy it.

 

My Relaxation Classes

In my class I provide a safe environment where people of all ages can learn to relax. I use a non-religious approach, and break it down into little steps, so that the ideas are accessible to beginners and more experienced members of the class alike. There are a range of activities in the hour, focusing on learning to empty the mind and breathing to relax and renew the body. The aim is for you to leave feeling refreshed and ready to experience the week ahead.

Classes run on Mondays 6.30 – 7.30pm

St. Aldhelm’s Church,

2, Windmill Road,

London,

N18 1PA

Cost: £6.00 per session

If you would like to attend a class, please text, call Zeenat on 07961 389 030 or email me at zeenat@embracecoaching.com