by Kristen Troy
Summer is coming to an end, back to school to-do lists are growing longer, tasks at work are piling up again, and you may be feeling the pressure creeping up on you. Everyday life can range from serene and calm to hectic and stressful. When life gets too hectic, we tend to feel the need to slow down and relax.
Relaxation is defined as the state of being free from tension and anxiety. Everyone may have their own relaxation techniques or routines. I find my methods to relax change depending on what is stressing me out. If I am feeling like my mind is working too fast to process, a light workout (usually outside), helps to calm my mind. When I am emotionally charged, I find exercising my creativity by coloring, painting, writing, or knitting to be beneficial.
How do you know when you really need to relax?
There are many signs that you need to relax. Some of the common signs are:
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Hair Loss
- Mood Swings
- Not enjoying your work
- Dramatic weight fluctuations
- Sleeping issues
- Anxiety
- Negative outlook
Don’t wait until you are completely stressed out to relax
Active relaxation can be beneficial to add to a daily routine. Practicing relaxation in a form that works for you can help your body and mind. When you relax the stress hormone cortisol decreases, heart rate decreases, focus increases, you will have a clearer mindset, and your body will have an easier time healing itself.
Below are some suggestions for how HAC can assist in your relaxation:
- Take a Yoga or Hot Yoga Class
- Schedule a Massage
- Walk/Run around Tweed’s Park
- Use a Hydromassage Chair
- Sit in the Hot Tub
- Lounge by the pool
- Take a leisurely swim
- Take a Mind/Body Group Fitness Class
- Sign-up for MindfulFIT Small Group Personal Training
- Sit back and read some Enhance Articles (Shameless plug, we know! 😊)
- Join the Adult Tap Dance class
- Participate in Adult Sports
- Volunteer at Community Fitness Fridays
- Train with the US Masters Swim Team
- Run with the Run HAC group
- Meditate in the Stretching Area or out in Tweed’s Park
