Relaxation Exercises
- If You're Busy -

I think asking a busy person to slow down and use one of the many relaxation exercises available to us is... well... kind of like asking a bee to stop buzzing.

However, if you want to feel relaxed and at ease ...

Here are three sort of easy and sort of quick relaxation exercises...

1. Above all else, I recommend creating a Conscious Breathing practice. This is real simple - just notice your breath throughout your day.

   When you bring your awareness to your breath, you'll be able to get a lot of good information about how you're doing right now. For example, you'll be able to tell...

   • If you're tense. If you are, you'll be able to remind yourself to relax so you don't end up in pain or discomfort.

   • If you've been holding your breath, you'll be able to remind yourself to breathe deeply and fully oxygenate your body.

   • If your body needs something like food, water, or movement, you can recognize it and take the time to tend yourself. This way you don't have to end up starving, dehydrated, and stiff.

   If you're willing to put in about 15 minutes a few days a week for a few weeks, I encourage you to train your body to do belly breathing - or diaphragmatic breathing - instead of chest breathing. When done properly, this technique automatically induces the relaxation response.

2. A couple times a day stand up and stretch. Take one - two minutes during your day to step away from what you're doing. Stand up, close your eyes or soften your focus, and gently move each part of your body - your head/neck, shoulders, arms, hands/fingers, back, pelvis, legs, feet, and toes.

   Bringing your awareness to your body and breath can do wonders to reduce your stress.

3. While you're consciously breathing and moving your body, walk outside... or at the minimum, get a change of scenery.

And, if you want... these aren't exactly relaxation exercises, but they may help...

• Check out how to deal with stress for a few quick and easy stress reducing tips.
• Sign up for the FREE Feel Relaxed-and-At-Ease e-zine.
  About once a week, I'll send you message that can help you remember to feel relaxed-and-at-ease.

Sign up for Feel Relaxed-and-At-Ease!

I used to feel busy and stressed. And then I read a lot of books about wellness.

There was one author who wrote something that I will never forget. Unfortunately, I forget who he was or I'd tell you.

But what he wrote was that every time we feel stressed we create tears - or tiny, little spaces - in our hearts. Inside the tears plaque builds up and eventually can cause a heart attack. He suggested that every time you feel stressed or tense you ask yourself, "Is this worth dying for?"

I know sometimes life is just TOO busy because of work, kids, parents, and any special circumstances you might be going through.

However, you may want to consider taking on the practice of asking yourself, Is this worth dying for? whenever you feel stressed. This question always helps me to remember to slow down, breath fully, and be present to what's happening in the moment.

Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact me!