Today is National Relaxation Day. There are more people concerned with who made these national holidays than what they represent. You can relax every day, but these days are reminders. When I was suffering my worst depression often it came off as a negative spirit and outlook. The person who would see things completely off. I used the National holidays to celebrate something good daily. So why should you add relaxation into your days.
Why do we need to Relax?
We are constantly stressed out daily. From work requirements, home life, and so much more it seems that the stress levels of all people have increased. Along with the increase in stress seems to also be the decrease in resources to help with the stress levels. For instance, I talk about therapy all the time. It is a tool that many could benefit from. However, the need for more flexible therapy is a need. The need for more therapist to be able to help with their workload is key. Having more affordable therapy sessions is real. So, you take tool like therapy that could help gift someone the ability to manage their stress and you have 4items that need to be addressed long before stepping into an office or electronic therapy session.
We need to find ways to simply turn our mind off so that when we relax, we aren’t thinking and overthinking about ten million ways that we don’t need or deserve to relax. I stopped telling my kids, why are you resting simply since they do not work. Why? As a human they deserve to rest. They are children who were brought here. They require rest just like we do. So yes, you are deserving and need to find ways to relax.
How to Turn your Brain Off to Rest?
The overwhelmed simply do not have the pleasure of saying, “brain off” and it working to help in the spirit of relaxation. It takes being intentional to get it done. You must be willing to know and execute your life to allow that rest to happen. Let me give you an example. When I was a new mom, I hated asking for help. So, the many times people wanted to help me I wouldn’t allow it. Now that I am a more mature mom, I understand that help is necessary. If you have help even if the help doesn’t feel as necessary to you at the time, take it. Do not stress that the help isn’t the exact way you would have done it. Shutting your mind off is what you need to execute. This can happen by getting your environment ready for rest.
For me I tell my kids that I am relaxing and troubleshoot the most requested things that they would need so I can rest. I also refer them to their dad. However, as my kids are older, I can do these things uninterrupted. If you are a single mom with kids who can’t defend for themselves, it may be best to get them on a sleep schedule. Once they go down, do the minimal things, and dedicate an evening a week that is about refueling and relaxing. The word is intentional!
Relaxing with Help
We all need help. That is one lesson that I struggled with because I always viewed that if I couldn’t do things that meant that I was unable to handle my life. That is not the case. There are things that we have the privilege of having to aid in helping us manage time. From night nurses for new parents, meal prep companies for aiding in food consumption at home. There are adding a team to your Content creation and so much more. This is where the soft lifestyle that is being shown on all over social media comes from. It’s all about if you’re able, add them to your life and make your life work that much better. Do not apologize for having the ability to have these things but learn not to act as if you are better than the person who doesn’t.
The Art of Relaxing
It takes being intentional and learning who you are to enjoy a great relaxing session. Sometimes it also takes a hard NO. You can’t simply do for everyone. I remember many times that the days I marked as my me day or me time that I would get a thousand and one requests. No to events. I had to say no to my family as well. No uber parents to last minute things that aren’t educational related. Sometimes it no to me as well on watching idle television instead of getting rest, taking a long shower, enjoying my favorite nondairy ice-cream, or simply using my adult coloring book to tap into my creativity.
On National Relaxation Day remember that you are deserving a need a reset button daily. Stop filling up other’s cups and leaving yours not only dry but with cobwebs on them. Make sure that you find one activity that you enjoy. 15 minutes a day makes a world of difference. Self-care can be free. Never discount the free things you have around you. When you are able schedule a once a month or quarterly money costing self-care activity like a staycation, mani-pedi, hair appointment, massage, sauna session with infrared, girl friends weekend getaway, and so much more. Enjoy the day today and get that calendar and put a stop on at least once a month. Happy Relaxation Day to you!
