6 minWe are always busy. Work takes a lot of energy and time, you want to give all your love and attention to your children, the laundry piles up and you also want to see your friends regularly. Time for yourself just slips away. Unfortunately, we don't have superhuman powers that give us endless energy. Rest is necessary. Your body needs daily relaxation.
In this article, you will read
- What relaxation is and why it is essential for good health.
- What happens to your body and mind when you don't relax enough.
- How you can relax, both actively and passively.
- Why exercise is important for relaxation and stress reduction.
What is relaxation?
Relaxation is allowing your body and brain to calm down. Relaxation is one of the most important requirements for good health. Your body and brain need relaxation to prevent physical and mental complaints. You need it to be able to cope with busyness, stimuli and stress. Relaxation gives you energy, helps you sleep better and makes you feel better about yourself. You work more productively, can focus better and work more accurately. Relaxation makes you more creative and think more positively. There are only advantages and the list is endless.
You are relaxed when your muscles are loose and there is no tension in your head. Everyone enjoys feeling relaxed, yet it is something we have to work hard to achieve. Time is the main culprit. With 101 things still on your to-do list, relaxation is the first thing you want to cross off. Don't do it! It should be at the top of your list as the item with the highest priority.
What happens if I am not relaxed?
Your health really suffers if you don't relax enough. Not enough relaxation causes stress, and prolonged stress will cause you to experience more and more physical and mental discomfort. You sleep worse, you constantly lack energy, you become forgetful and gloominess prevails. A continuous state of stress builds up in your body, putting you at risk of exhaustion or burnout. A daily moment of relaxation is therefore just as important as healthy eating and sufficient exercise. It is necessary for a healthy body and a healthy mind.
The best way to relax
There are many different ways to relax. Which way works best depends on the person. Everyone relaxes best in a different way. It takes a little time to find what works best for you. However, it is clear that you do not necessarily have to do nothing to relax. Exercise is also a form of relaxation and is even very good for you.
Active relaxation
Exercise has also been proven to be effective in combating fatigue and stress. It helps to clear your head, but with the right movements, it can also relieve physical aches and pains caused by stress.
Endurance sports are particularly beneficial. This could be a long walk or a brisk run. It is best to walk for at least an hour. During endurance sports, your body cannot produce cortisol, which is your stress hormone. Swimming is also a good idea: the calm water naturally calms you down and it is easy on your joints.
The biggest mistake you can make is to remove exercise from your to-do list when you are busy and your head is full. After a good workout, you will be much sharper and therefore more productive. It feels very contradictory to make time that you don't have, but you will notice that sufficient exercise will give you renewed energy. This brings us back to where we started this article: you first have to actively do something about it.
Calming relaxation
To truly relax, it is important to choose something calming that helps you clear your head and calm your body. This means letting go of the thoughts, worries and obligations that are on your mind. Activities such as yoga and mindfulness are ideal for this, as they help you stay in the moment and focus your attention on your breathing or movement.
A braindump, where you write down all your thoughts, to-do lists and worries, can also be surprisingly relieving. It gives your brain some space to let go of everything. In addition, listening to music can have a powerful effect on your state of mind; calm music or nature sounds, for example, can lower your heart rate and reduce stress.
