Just Relax ...
I’ve spoken before about having thinking time or needing to allow time for creativity but this is about having time to mentally switch off. Something busy people rarely have time for is to do nothing. When we’re busy and pressed for time there’s a tendency to always be on the go. Never stopping to rest from morning until night. Active and driven people will often feel guilty if they’re not doing something, they easily get bored and have a need to fill what they see as empty space and feel uncomfortable if there’s nothing going on.
However, working at full tilt isn’t always healthy or effective. It leads to a build up of stress and often results in mental and physical overload. Have you noticed that when you stop, you get ill?
Try and find a few minutes in each day when you can sit quietly. I know that’s easier said than done, especially if you feel you don’t have enough time as there is but there are benefits to switching off every now and then. One way to do this is to take up yoga, pilates or tai chi where you naturally have to slow down or to start simple breathing or meditation exercises. It doesn’t take a lot of time or space.
Deep Breathing – Sit comfortably, either in a chair or on the floor. Take a few deep breaths during the day when you're feeling tired, losing concentration or to calm yourself. Correct breathing is known to have beneficial effects on physical and emotional health - increasing energy levels and reducing stress and anxiety.
Breath Counting - Another easy meditation is to count your breath. Sit in a relaxed, comfortable position and count each inhale and exhale. Breathe in through your nose for a count of four or five and then exhale for a count of four or five. Practice breathing slowly, rhythmically and evenly and then include a pause between each in and out breathe. Breath in for a count of four, hold for four, breathe out for four, hold for four … repeat.
Breath Walking – count your breath (as above) but as you walk, matching the rhythm of your steps to your breathing.
Try one or two of these for a few minutes each day.
However, working at full tilt isn’t always healthy or effective. It leads to a build up of stress and often results in mental and physical overload. Have you noticed that when you stop, you get ill?
Try and find a few minutes in each day when you can sit quietly. I know that’s easier said than done, especially if you feel you don’t have enough time as there is but there are benefits to switching off every now and then. One way to do this is to take up yoga, pilates or tai chi where you naturally have to slow down or to start simple breathing or meditation exercises. It doesn’t take a lot of time or space.
Deep Breathing – Sit comfortably, either in a chair or on the floor. Take a few deep breaths during the day when you're feeling tired, losing concentration or to calm yourself. Correct breathing is known to have beneficial effects on physical and emotional health - increasing energy levels and reducing stress and anxiety.
Breath Counting - Another easy meditation is to count your breath. Sit in a relaxed, comfortable position and count each inhale and exhale. Breathe in through your nose for a count of four or five and then exhale for a count of four or five. Practice breathing slowly, rhythmically and evenly and then include a pause between each in and out breathe. Breath in for a count of four, hold for four, breathe out for four, hold for four … repeat.
Breath Walking – count your breath (as above) but as you walk, matching the rhythm of your steps to your breathing.
Try one or two of these for a few minutes each day.
Labels: health, make a difference, work life balance
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