Being in an overly demanding environment has a tension-transmitting effect. You need to respond to these needs, it is not easy to isolate yourself. Do you know how to activate relax mode?
Pressure, stress, anxiety… You’ve probably experienced one of these, although not always. Maybe you’re wondering why it’s so hard to relax because you’ve tried everything and nothing seems to work. However, perhaps your mistake is that you think too much about relaxing and working towards actually achieving. Below we will explain why.
If you search for the word ‘relax’ on Google, you will find 23,400,000 results. This is evidenced by the large number of people who find it difficult to relax and have to turn to Google to find a solution. Indeed, stress affects an increasing number of people every day.
For example, anxiety is really common. Today, this has a lot to do with everything we’re experiencing in the pandemic. In fact, according to WHO, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused a 25 percent increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression. Additionally, anxiety disorders have already affected 264 million people worldwide. Additionally, according to statistics, anxiety is the sixth leading cause of decreased healthy life expectancy.
As you can see, the numbers are quite alarming because we are not really talking about cases of stress and burnout syndrome. In fact, it seems that one doesn’t necessarily have to suffer from an anxiety disorder to look for how to relax.
It’s not easy to relax
As you know, taking care of your body improves your mind and vice versa. So try to take care of yourself, rest well and eat well because this is good for your mental health. This is great. What’s the problem?
Stress, anxiety and depression trigger physiological responses in the sympathetic nervous system. This is responsible for your fight or flight response.
Current scientific evidence shows that when you stress to relax or demand too much exercise from your body (through sports), you fail to relax. Thus, a paradoxical effect occurs, the more you try to relax, the less you can relax.
There may be a reason why it’s so hard to relax. Additionally, problems arise in enjoying your free time, because of course you are making an effort to relax and ‘work’.
What you need is the opposite. To relax, you must stop trying to relax. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some strategies you can use.
Learning to Relax
Diane Barth is a psychotherapist living in New York. To learn to master the art of relaxation, he recommends that we start from a desire for a state of relaxation (without putting pressure on ourselves). He says we should look for motivation there, but not demand too much.
It’s about identifying the types of goals that are truly achievable in terms of relaxation. This is especially useful for achievement-motivated people who want to learn or achieve something. Here are some of Diane Barth’s ideas:
1. Approach it as a challenge
Find your motivation. Learning to master and disable your body, slow your heartbeat, calm your soul and rest your mind is not easy. However, you must learn to do this. A good time to practice is when you are on vacation or have some free time in your daily routine.
2. Choose a strategy or two
As we have shown, the ability to relax lies in your determination to do so. Try another challenge for yourself. Instead of saying, “I will relax,” say, “I will meditate.” This will help you implement some strategies in a structured way in your routine, such as:
— Meditation.
— Yoga.
— Conscious breathing work
Of course, before implementing these strategies, learn about them by reading some books or attending some training. You can even consult an expert.
3. Do something else that not only relaxes you
For example: learn to knit, paint, draw or cook. However, do this consciously, read well and internalize what you have learned.
It’s also about looking for motivation in the types of activities that will indirectly relax you.
4. Look for something nice
The psychotherapist recommends a series of really enjoyable books, television programs or movies to watch in our free time. You can also choose to ride a bike.
Remember that pleasure counters anxiety, so if you enjoy it, you won’t be overwhelmed.
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