5 Healthy Ways to Slow Down & Relax Right Now
Do you need to relax? If you could use another reason to slow down, lucky for you August 15th is National Relaxation Day, a day dedicated to unwinding and focusing on yourself. Not only do you deserve it, but relaxing can also reduce stress, boost your mood and help you sleep better to boot.
We get it: it's easy to become burnt out with the fast-paced lives we live between work, family and everyday stress. That's why it‚s more important than ever to slow down and prevent burnout before it gets the best of you. After all, studies have found that burnout from stress can negatively impact one‚s health ‚ from increased risk of cardiovascular disease to mental health issues.
This week on the Vibrant Health blog, we're sharing five healthy ways you can unwind and relax starting now.
5 Healthy Ways to Relax Right Now
- Take a Lunch Break
- Eat Mindfully
- Book a Wellness Retreat
- Take a Yoga Class
- Get Your Rest
1. Take a Lunch Break
Do you work right through your lunch? It’s time to give yourself a break — literally! Not only do you deserve some time away from your desk, but research shows that taking a mindful break is linked to enhanced wellbeing. Bring your lunch outside to a park bench or try squeezing in a mini stroll to restore your energy.
2. Eat Mindfully
Speaking of your lunch break, do you scarf down your meals in minutes, all while answering text messages and scrolling social media? Fast-paced, distracted eating habits can cause stress on the digestive system, all while making it extremely difficult to relax.
We encourage you to slow down and practice eating mindfully. Not only does bringing mindfulness into your mealtime help you become more present, but it can also reduce stress on the digestive system and help your body recognize when it’s full. Try these tips to create a mindful eating ritual for yourself!
3. Book a Wellness Retreat
After over a year spent social distancing and cooped up in your home, you’re likely itching to get away for some R & R. However, you don’t need to travel far to get the reset you need!
Here are some local New England getaways — including a self-care oasis and luxury wellness retreat center — to help calm the body, mind and soul so you can finally r-e-l-a-x.
4. Take a Yoga Class
If you’re looking for a way to melt the stress away and quiet your mind, a yoga class may do the trick! Studies show that practicing yoga contributes to reducing stress, anxiety and even depression. Win, win, win!
Book a yoga class at a studio near you or consider getting your flow on from the comfort of your own home. Practicing meditation or even taking a few deep breaths throughout the day can help you find your center as well.
5. Get Your Rest
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: sleep is crucial for your health. If you’re not getting enough of it or you’re struggling to unwind at the end of the day, set yourself up for success by creating a healthy sleep ritual.
Unplugging from technology, sipping on a cup of chamomile herbal tea or journaling before bed can help you get in the mood for a snooze. And there’s nothing wrong with squeezing in a nap during the day either!
Happy relaxing! Let us know how you’re slowing down on National Relaxation Day by tagging us on social @VibrantHealth
DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by a competent health care professional. You should not use this information in diagnosing or treating a health problem. No claim or opinion in this blog is intended to be, nor should be construed to be, medical advice. If you are now taking any drugs, prescribed or not, or have a medical condition, please consult a competent physician who is aware of herb/drug interactions before taking any herbal supplements. The information presented herein has not been evaluated by the FDA or the Department of Health and is not intended to diagnose, prevent, cure, mitigate or treat any disease or illness.