The word "relax" on a blanket in front of candles, for a blog from Advanced Skin + Body Lincoln Aesthetics and SpaEveryone has a bad day once in a while! There’s no need to beat yourself up about it when we’ve all been there. However, if you find yourself in that next less-than-fun headspace, finding a little time to relax will make a world of difference.

Stress may have started out as a way to defend ourselves from harm, but prolonged stress can have terrible effects on our bodies and minds. Make it a priority to relieve that stress! Reap the many health benefits of relaxation and make it fun. Finding a happy peace regularly and often will stave off some of those bad days and make the remaining ones much more bearable.

Why Do We Need To Relax?

Stress is a daily occurrence. Trying to juggle home, career, kids, school, love, family, fun, etc…. can all seem too much sometimes! According to the Mayo Clinic, the resulting symptoms of prolonged stress can range from head and muscle aches to anxiety and depression to angry outbursts and substance misuse. Taking some time each day to slip into a state of relaxation can stop this maddening cycle. Give yourself relief and achieve a calmer state of mind.

Infographic explaining the positive effects of relaxation by Lincoln-based Advanced Skin + Body Aesthetics Spa

Benefits Of Relaxation

We love the quiet of mind that relaxation brings. Whenever we take the time, our bodies unwind, and our moods become sunny and stable, giving us the ability to roll with the day’s punches. But don’t just take it from us, here’s what Healthline finds beneficial about relaxation:

 

Ways To Relax

Each and every person is unique in what they find soothing; but never fear, there are so many different options to get yourself to that relaxed place! We’ve come up with a list of 20 different ways to relax. Combine them, rotate them, and make them your own, just make sure to try them and see what suits you. The next time you’re the unsuspecting victim of a bad day, take control, and find a moment, an hour, or a whole day to relax!

So, are you ready to try some new things? Or maybe just really commit to the practices that have tried and true results for you? Here is the list of our 20 favorite ways to relax. Enjoy!

1. Breathe

This is a vital exercise to reduce stress and relax, and you can do it anywhere for any amount of time. Focus on your breath. Close your eyes, breathe through your nose and into your abdomen, and try to keep your inhale and exhale even. Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly to further focus. Try to release tension with each exhale.

2. Go outside!

Take a walk or sit outside and listen to the breeze. Take a break in the great outdoors (no devices!), and allow the rejuvenating power of Mother Nature to calm you. Of course, don’t forget your sunscreen.

3. Meditate

Even a few minutes of meditation per day can do wonders for your mood. Whether in a stressful moment or preemptively, pop in your earbuds and listen to a guided, mindfulness meditation. Here are some of our favorite quick and soothing meditations from Frantic World.

4. Reiki

Reiki is an energy-based healing practice. Your practitioner will create the environs for you to enter a relaxed state while they enhance the flow of energy throughout your body, breaking down blocks created by old injuries and emotional traumas. After each session, you’ll feel revitalized and peaceful.

(Psst! Did you know that Advanced Skin + Body Aesthetics offers a Relaxation Membership with one facial and two Reiki sessions per month?)

5. Acupuncture/pressure

Another way to dissolve blocked energy is acupuncture. Stimulating the central nervous system to release beneficial chemicals, these thin needles are strategically placed while you relax in a serene environment. John’s Hopkins Medicine finds that it “may stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.” If needles aren’t your thing, acupressure might be. Instead of needles, pressure from the fingertips is used at certain meridians throughout the body to improve your “qi.”

6. Journal

Get all of the worries out of your head and onto a piece of paper. You’ll feel freer having spent a few minutes purging all your busy thoughts. Perhaps you’ll even find a solution to what’s bothering you, having seen it written down. Either way, your mind will be clearer after a few written pages. If you’d like to make it a habit, we recommend Morning Pages.

7. Cup of tea

Don’t tell me a cup of tea doesn’t sound soothing! Perhaps chamomile, mint, lavender, or rose tea will relax you. Or if you need to keep working, a matcha green tea can put you in the zone. The process of brewing your tea can be just as transformative as sitting down to sip it. Add honey, lemon, milk, or whatever suits you, and enjoy! 

8. Massage

Go and get a relaxing massage! They are terrific for relieving muscle tension, but they will also combine sound and aromatherapy. You’ll only need to close your eyes and focus on your breath while your body is kneaded into tranquility.

9. Facial

Pamper yourself with a facial. Similar to the experience of a massage or Reiki session, you’ll settle back on a table in a dim room with soothing sounds and smells, while an expert cleanses, steams, massages, and moisturizes your facial skin into heavenly repose.

(Psst! Did you know that Advanced Skin + Body Aesthetics offers a Facial Membership and a Relaxation Membership with one GeneO+ or Diamond Glow facial with an add-on and a tint per month?)

10. Music

Music has a way of taking us to some of the most amazing places. Sometimes attached to a memory or sometimes used to amp us up and empower us, music is an excellent tool of relaxation as well. Make a playlist of the songs that bring you peace or search for something new online, and take a break to listen to some tunes.

11. Create something

Paint, cook, do a puzzle, just create something! Spending time doing whatever type of artistic or creative endeavor you enjoy can have an extreme centering and calming effect. Try something new or exercise your established creative muscles, and let the practice tranquilize your psyche.

12. AromatherapyText listing the calming essential oils: lavender, chamomile, Frankincense, Bergamot, Ylang Ylang, and Jasmine from Lincoln-based Advanced Skin + Body Aesthetics Spa

Aromatherapy works by stimulating your olfactory system (sense of smell) and sending messages to your limbic system, which controls our emotional responses. Sending the right smelling messages can bring on a sense of calm! Try these essential oils recommended by the Rescue® Blog:

 

Inhale, sprinkle, diffuse, whatever works best for you, but remember to dilute them according to the instructions on the bottle.

13. Stretch

Imbalances in our bodies can cause pain, anxiety, and discomfort. Taking a few minutes to stretch can relax your muscles and improve blood flow, getting everything back into working order. Some great stretches specifically for relaxation: child’s pose, cat-cow, happy baby, seated spinal twist, and the lunging hip flexor stretch.

14. Yoga/Tai Chi

These two forms of exercise focus on breath and movement. Yoga will involve more static stretching, while Tai Chi is about dynamic, artistic flow. Both work wonders for stress management and a peaceful mind. Yoga will also improve your flexibility and strength. 

15. Exercise

Move your body! Release those calming endorphins! And if it has been a particularly challenging bad day, try a self-defense or boxing class to free some of that pent-up frustration.

16. Take a nap

Get some rest! Taking time out for a cat nap (25 minutes) will recharge those batteries and encourage relaxation. Practice your breathing techniques to set you off to sleep quickly. 

17. Touch someone (or some pet)

Reach out and touch someone…or a furry friend. A cozy embrace, holding a hand, a snuggle, or any sort of friendly touch can ease your stress. Don’t just take our word for it, take Wired Magazine’s:

Quote from Wired Magazine: Warm, friendly patterns of touch also calm down the recipient's neurophysiology of stress. In one study, simply holding the hand of a loved one deactivated stress-related regions of the brain when anticipating going through a stressful experience. From Lincoln -based Advanced Skin + Body Aesthetics Spa.

18. Bubble bath & pamper session

Set up the candles and the bath salts, grab a book or some soothing music, and hop into a warm bubble bath. Truly pamper yourself! Try an at-home facial. Luxuriate and breathe, letting your tense muscles unwind as you slip into a state of serenity.

19. Laugh

Take a few minutes to giggle, chuckle, or guffaw. Laughter is good for the soul and it instantly relaxes you. Watch a comedy, call your funniest friend, go see some stand-up, or just look around your world and find the hilarity in everyday things! 

20. Therapy

Start seeing a therapist. Talk to someone about your bad days. Letting out your negative thoughts and emotions and asking for help to muddle through them can bring you a lasting sense of peace. And these days, online therapy is readily available, so you can ease into it from the comfort of your home.

Animated graphic of various people relaxing in different ways (facials & reiki) from Lincoln-based Advanced Skin + Body Aesthetics

Find Your Routine And Do It Daily!

Try our suggestions, find the ones that work best for you, and then make your own routine. But don’t stop there, do it daily! Bad days aren’t going to stop, but if you’ve been practicing your relaxation, you might just deal with them a bit more easily. Hope for the best, but be prepared for the inevitable speed bumps. Now go, relax already!

How Can Advanced Skin + Body Aesthetics Help?

We care about your health and well-being and have plenty of ways to help you live your best life. If you need to schedule a facial or Reiki session at our Lincoln, NE spa, contact us today! Or sign up for our Facial or Relaxation Membership! You’ll get one signature facial and two Reiki sessions with our Reiki master per month to help relieve stress and bring you peace.

Our goal is to support our clients to look and feel their best! If you have been thinking about another transformative treatment, schedule a consultation today! And for more info on all things beauty, health, and aesthetics in Lincoln, NE, and beyond, be sure to read our blog.

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