From the BlogHer Life Well Lived Series:
What are your favorite relaxation techniques? And what benefits do you see from practicing them?
A year ago, I wouldn’t have been able to answer this question. Lately, however, I’ve been delving into my personal spirituality, and my relationship to God and the Divine. So… I have two ways of relaxing.
1) The zone out. In the evenings, I usually zone out. That might be reading or playing WoW, or watching movies or my DVR saves. This is just a way for me to “check out” from the day, because each day is go-go-gooooooo. It resets my brain. I have also found that I have a propensity for burn out. When I burn out, or stress out, I conjure up physical symptoms. I’m such a worrier that I’m one of those rare folks that have given myself ulcers. The doctor said it was stress because I tested negative for the bacteria that usually causes them. Because of this, I’ve dubbed Saturdays as my do-nothing day. On Saturdays I do not clean. I do not work. I do not cook. I do nothing, except what I want to do. It has helped me dramatically. I may study, or do art, or just play games, but I only do what I want to do. On those days that I cannot have my do-nothing day, I’ve really noticed a difference in my stress level for the next week. So, I apparently need that day to recharge.
2) Meditation. Yup… I meditate. I light some incense, and light a cnadle, and I meditate. Sometimes it’s on a particular subject, but more often I’m just connecting with God. That connection then grounds me so I can move on with my day in a better frame of mind. Or I do a meditative activity. For me, that’s gardening by myself. My hands are busy, and so my thoughts go more inward, go more spiritual, or I pray on certain matters.
As for the benefits to me… MAN! I am more relaxed. I have less stomach trouble. I even look forward to the times, and just knowing they’re coming will help me in the current situation I’m in to be better able to handle it. I’m happier. I’m calmer. I’m more content. I’m more settled in my emotions. All really good things.
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I’m totally with you on the “zoning out”…if I don’t get my “down time,” I end up staying up ridiculously late to get it. It’s the way I wind down in the evening. I think I would go insane without it.