Mohandas Gandhi said, "There is more to life than increasing it's speed".
Relaxing seems like it's a natural thing to do and that you should just be able to just sit or lie down and poof, you're relaxed, sitting loose, and feeling good. Well. it isn't that easy for a lot of people and perhaps you are one of them.
The biggest challenge in resting is when you do stop doing something for a moment, you are thinking about all the other somethings you "should" be doing. Does this ring any bells? Read this sentence again.
When you take more time for you and you are okay with doing so, you will settle into knowing there is nothing you "need" to be doing other than what you are doing right now, and that's relaxing.
Even when people take a well needed vacation, they fill it with places to go and things to see. That's wonderful because there are so many beautiful and fun things to do in the world, but, and there is a but, there needs to be a balance so you don't return feeling like you need another vacation!
How do you find that sense of balance whether it's during your busy day or on vacation to just relax?
Understanding "why" it's beneficial to rest may help you in wanting to make that time.
Relaxing can increase productivity, creativity, healing, patience, sense of well-being and happiness.
When you take a break, and you do deserve one, you are really saying, "Hey, there is more to life than doing, there is also being". Being right here, right now, with nothing to do but just be.
One of the reasons that people are so stressed is because they are filling their days to maximum capacity and not taking the time to just sit back and enjoy what they have and the moment as it is without doing anything at all.
You might find that when you do try to relax, your body and mind aren't fully relaxed. It's easier for the body to rest because when you stop it automatically slows down, but the mind, on the other hand, seems to rev up.
Sometimes things occur that will force you to slow down and, even then, you probably find yourself wanting to do things. Those thoughts and beliefs are relentless, aren't they?
When you give yourself permission that it's okay that you to put your feet up or take a little "me time", then it becomes easier to do so.
Listen to your thoughts. What are they saying when you are sitting or lying down? There are beliefs that you have around relaxing. "It's not okay". "Someone might think I'm lazy or I believe I'm lazy". "I should be doing something". "Sitting idle isn't productive", and so on.
Write down what thoughts and beliefs surface for you. See if you can come up with a positive reason for "why" taking it easy is important for you and how you, your day, and your life will benefit from it.
For awhile, you may have to keep reminding yourself of the importance until it becomes more natural and acceptable for you to take time for you.
If you find your thoughts racing while you are relaxing, try focusing on something in nature, or if you can't be outside, find a picture that you can look at and let your imagination soar.
You can also repeat one or a few quotes that help you to relax, or when a thought does pop up, you can say "shh".
Some people enjoy closing their eyes and listening to what sounds they can hear, or putting on a piece of music that is calming, or using white noise.
The more you enjoy relaxing, the more joy you will receive from it.
The benefits of being still are endless and, if you aren't already benefiting from them, perhaps it's time you start.
The Insight Technique assists you in transforming the thoughts that are stopping you from relaxing and enjoying more of life.
Kimberley Cohen is the Founder, Facilitator and Personal Insight Coach of The Insight Technique™. She is certified in Body Mind Counselling, Process Oriented Body Work and Spiritual Psychotherapy. She founded the Insight Technique™ - Your Insight to genuine Happiness, Purpose and Prosperity to assist herself and others in uncovering and discovering their brilliance. To question and understand your thinking so you can transform what blocks and limits you from living the life you desire and deserve. Or "living your dreams".