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3 Quick-Release Relaxation Hacks

RELAX NOW!, Uncategorized

10 to 20 minutes when you just don’t have time for more.

How to relax quickly in 10–20 minutes.

It used to be I could frequently get tense over some contrary customer or even something inanimate, that didn’t work right or didn’t work as I wanted it to. I would get to a point where my productivity suffered and I, myself, didn’t work right.

When I would get to that point, I found I had to stop and find a fast way to relax, or I could let something very small ruin my day and shoot holes in my productivity.

There is a fine line between relaxing (and maybe doing nothing) all day and being productive.

Occasionally, even I could become so tense, and hard to get along with and yes, there would be times I couldn’t concentrate.

The trouble I had was like those of some other people. I didn’t have a lot of time for some structured relaxation. Any decompressing I was going to do would have to be quick.

Over time, my methods have evolved into something I can live with, and even become comfortable with. I also tend to like things to be formulaic or be able to be expressed in terms of a formula I can easily share with others.

This formula is simply LMN-OkieDokie!

1. L (listen to some music)

On the hard drive of your own computer —

Windows Accessories/ Media Player — rip a copy your own CDs — download your favorites. 10 to 20 minutes is not a lot of time. Then you can simply hit play or your playlist to loop/alternate/repeat some tunes for your relaxation period.

  • Remember, it’s not a lot of time you need.
  • Your choice and selections depend on your era of enjoyment. I happen to like tight harmonies.
  • I liked Buffalo Springfield in the late sixties, then I grew into the derivations of them Stephen Stills and eventually Neil Young, along with David Crosby from the Byrds and Graham Nash from the Hollies.

I also came to very much enjoy Poco, the remaining members of the Buffalo Springfield and Paul Cotton who drifted into and out of the Poco circle, all of whom had great harmonies included in their styles as groups or solo acts.

So for me and my particular tastes, I may have a playlist of all of those guys. You may have one completely different, as long as you find it to be relaxing.

There is an entire genre now called Yacht Rock which is fairly soft and harmonious to listen to, including people like Toto and Little River Band. It is a good possibility for this purpose.

On YouTube

The problem that I and others have with YouTube is its monetization. You can’t blame them of course, but out of the box without added subscriptions, there are commercials to deal with that require attention, not ideal for using them in this area.

But YouTube does offer relaxing and soothing music, classical or even more specialized music like cello or cello/piano music for studying or relaxing and meditation.

So, they have their place.

Streaming on your computer

This is another good choice for the computer these days. You can have a favorite radio station, for instance, in the Canary Islands, as do I, and if it is conducive to meditation, you can hear it by computer streaming rather than off-the-air, the way radio started out.

There are good music-only streaming stations, not converted from broadcast radio stations.

An example I love is whisperings, piano solos.

2. M (meditation visualization)

Simply put, there are at least two primary types of meditation, one where you concentrate on something, and one where you concentrate on nothing.

Mindfulness Meditation

You picture nothing in particular, but rather explore what is up there in your mind already. You picture nothing.

YouTube has a good number of entries concerning this topic, they may be narrated or have a music track. They may just picture waves.

Concentration Meditation

You picture and visualize your goals as you meditate.

With practice, I’m told, this type of meditation gets easier, and better at producing the desired outcomes.

3. N (nap)

The ease with which you can practice this part of your routine depends some on your age. It becomes easier as you get older.

Go for the period right after your lunch, but not after dinner, as that is probably a prime time to doze off. Set an alarm with your phone if you need, as much over 20 minutes, and you will be pushing into a deeper rapid-eye-movement (and less refreshing) slumber. Your maximum time should be no more than 20 minutes.

You should wake up completely refreshed and ready to tackle the next period of stress in your life.

When I finally figured out this routine, it made a big difference in my attitude. When I started practicing it regularly, I needed it less, but used it as a preventative rather than a cure.

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How To Cultivate Self-Awareness

MEDITATION

5 ways to become more self-aware.

Self-awareness involves monitoring our stress, thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. It is important, because it’s a major mechanism influencing personal development. Our lives can get out-of-control pretty fast if we are unaware of how and under what circumstances our emotional nature is triggered.

How do we increase self-awareness?

Self-awareness requires self-examination. But that honest, non-judgmental self-analysis isn’t always easy. We tend to berate ourselves for our failings or fantasize about how great we are, when neither is actually the case. We all have a unique mix of “good” and “bad” traits, but we are largely unaware of them. In order to self-reflect objectively, we need to quiet our minds and open our hearts, forgiving ourselves for our imperfections and offering ourselves kudos when we deserve them.

So how do we build self-awareness?

1. Practice mindfulness Mindfulness is similar to self-awareness in that they both relate to consciously directing our thoughts inward in order to become more aware of our inner state of being, to observe our thoughts and beliefs, and to notice what triggers our emotions as they rise and fall. Mindfulness includes focused attention in the moment to whatever one is doing, and involves practices such as meditation or a quieting of the mind.

2. Write in a journal Writing our thoughts or stream-of-consciousness ideas can help us open up to those vulnerable places within. Writing sometimes reveals what contemplation does not, so this method of self-exploration may assist you in expanding your self-awareness. Telling your story, releasing your woes on paper, dreaming up your fantasy situation — these are ways your subconscious can speak to you, revealing what’s really “the matter.”

3. Be a better listener “Getting out of ourselves” by focusing on another person is a good antidote to stop downward spirals of negative thinking. By listening objectively, even lovingly, to what that person wants to or needs to share, we learn how to better listen to our own inner dialogues and opinions objectively and lovingly.

4. Ask for feedback Since we are with ourselves all the time, we may miss something when we look at ourselves. That’s where the objectivity of others can be most helpful in self-assessment. If you have the courage, ask a friend or acquaintance their opinion of you, or ask about how you managed some project you worked on together or how you handled yourself in some quirky situation. Try to be resilient and willing to hear what they have to say. When some aspect of self is revealed that could use some additional refinement, be willing to look behind the obvious to its underlying secret or wound. When you find something that needs some re-tweaking, make a mental or written note to yourself to look at it later when you have some time alone for your self-care.

5. Walk in nature The mind tends to wander along with our feet, so with a little conscious nudging (and walking), we can examine our part in something that is happening in our lives now — at work, in social situations, in our relationships, or within the family.