Real Relaxation by Konstantin Koss

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Babies are lucky, even though they experience stress the same way adults do, like when they don’t get the attention they need, they have all the time in the world to instinctively do what they do best to battle stress and fatigue, and that’s resting and sleeping.

Because we are already adults and we have numerous responsibilities and obligations, which may be what is causing our stress, we can’t just drop everything that we need to do just to rest or go to sleep. We simply have to go on to finish the task at hand. But that doesn’t mean that we must completely continue on being stressed out, this could lead to depression, over fatigue or to some ailments and illnesses.

Relaxation differs for every people. Some love to watch TV while others would rather have peace and quiet and a good book. Whatever it is, what’s important is that you are able to shut out all the negative thoughts and worries and just be calm.

You should never stretch yourself to your limits. From time to time, try to get a quick rest. Just stop what you are doing for about five minutes, close your eyes and forget about everything that worries you. Soothing music can also help you achieve a state of calmness. While resting, feel every part of your body, try to tense your muscles and relax them repeatedly.

The body and our mind work hand in hand. Achieving relaxation is all about simultaneously freeing your mind from worries and allowing your body to rest.

(Photo by liveandrock)

Popularity: 32% [?]

Tags: Relaxation, Relaxation Technique, Relaxation Techniques, Rest, Sleep

With stress being the culprit to the different obstacles we experience today, more and more people are trying to find different activities to be used as their outlet for stress. Some would go to gyms and work up a sweat; others would rather have fun with their friends, while others need some down time and some peace and quiet. On the latter, deep relaxation is the key to relieve one’s self from stress.

When deep relaxation is mentioned, some people would immediately think meditation and yoga. These two are very popular nowadays but that doesn’t mean that they are the “be all” of deep relaxation. The key here is for you to be comfortable, relaxed, and basically be letting go of your stress.

Here are some steps on how you can achieve deep relaxation:

1) Choose an area where you will be able to spend some time undisturbed. If you are unable to find total silence in your home, then just look for a spot where there is the least noise and just let the sounds flow through you.

2) Yoga and meditation is not just about sitting down on the floor cross legged. Find a comfortable position but make sure that you have good posture.

3) Do your deep breathing. Allow the air to come in deep into your abdomen and let it stay in your lungs for 5 seconds or 7. Then as you exhale, expel all air from your chest slowly for the same period of time when you inhaled. Just repeat the process to achieve deep relaxation.

4) Feel every part of your body and tense their muscles as you pass each part. Start with your toes and work yourself up. Do this on two cycles of deep breathing.

5) When you have reached your head, and then work yourself downward relaxing your muscles. You will then feel relaxed and continue to feel this way until you have ended your session.

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Tags: Breathing, Deep Relaxation, Meditation, Relaxation, Yoga

The smart ones know that relaxation isn’t synonymous to slacking off. If you want to do a good job at work, it’s imperative that you know how and when you should relax and give your mind and body much needed respite to face upcoming tasks.

1. Eat Breakfast

Relaxation in the workplace is easier to accomplish with a full stomach. Power yourself up with breakfast before work. When you get to your office, your mind and body will be in a pleasant state that even the worst problems at work will have a hard time cracking.

2. Shake It Off

Relaxation is often a mental practice rather than a physical one. If you feel your problems weighing on your shoulders, straighten your back and just shrug them off your shoulders. Imagine them falling away and you’ll put yourself in a better frame of mind.

3. Laugh Away

Doctors are still unanimous on this one. Laughter is still the best medicine. Even stress can be defeated with a laugh!

4. Yes to Punctuality and No to Procrastination

One excellent way of relaxing is by eliminating the causes of stress. Lack of punctuality as well as procrastination are two of the most common reasons for employees to experience stress and getting rid of them will not only keep your boss happy, but it can help you stay happy and healthy, too.

Wake up earlier to get to work on time and if you have time to spare, try accomplishing other tasks because you might not have enough time to complete them tomorrow.

5. Buy a Nice, Comfy Chair

Office jobs generally require you to stay on your seat for a good part of the day. Sitting on an ugly and uncomfortable chair can only contribute to your stress, making it more difficult for you to relax when you need to. The solution here is simple: buy a new chair, and one you’ll feel right at home. Invest in something with the right type of back to keep yourself comfortable and cool at the same time. Go for padded seats for extra comfort and armrests. Finally, make sure the chair’s adjustable to suit your moods and needs.

6. Clean Up Your Desk

There are two ways that eliminating clutter can contribute to relaxation. Firstly, signs of clutter are generally perceived by the mind as a distraction and, at times, even an omen for more trouble at work. Banish them from your sight and you’ll relax more easily.

Now, the act of clearing out clutter in itself can be just as relaxing. If you’re feeling particularly stressed, try to contribute a few minutes of your time to straightening your desk, even if the only thing you can do for now is arranging your papers and throwing out scraps. This is another symbolic procedure and wherein your mind equates throwing out rubbish to getting rid of your stress.

Clutter in your PC desktop, by the way, can be used for and benefit from the same procedure.

7. Wear Headphones

Use it either to listen to relaxing music or block out ambient noise. Either way, it puts distractions at bay and enables you to work in a more conducive setting. Of course, make sure you let your boss know that your plugged ears will also prevent you from hearing him call your name. But as a pair of headphones can improve your productivity in a long way, your boss surely has little reason to complain.

8. Use a Portable Fan

Sometimes, your office’s ventilation system just isn’t enough to keep yourself comfortably cool. For such instances, have a portable fan ready. Switch it on when your body – and maybe your temper, too – need cooling. Close your eyes and enjoy the breeze. When you open your eyes, you’re sure to feel much better.

9. Have a Fountain Nearby

It doesn’t have to be exceptionally big or expensive. A simple one won’t cost you more than $20, and in return, you’ll be soothed by the pleasant sound of running water. Put it in use with your portable fan, and you can close your eyes and imagine you’re in the beach or cradled in Mother Nature’s arms somewhere else.

10. Read a Travel Book

It would be wonderful if you had the money, time, or ability to transport yourself to your dream destination for a few minutes to relax and unwind. And when you’re feeling calm, you can go back to work in a second and be more productive. While this is virtually impossible to do, nothing can stop your mind from traveling with a handy travel book nearby. Read about your favorite places when you’re feeling stressed and in a matter of pages, you’re ready to face your work again with a smile.

That’s it for now. Use these tips regularly to relax in the workplace and see your productivity skyrocket.

Konstantin Koss

Popularity: 33% [?]

Tags: How to, Relax in the Workplace, Relaxation, Relaxation Techniques, Stress in the Workplace, Workplace

Stress has been a major factor in many diseases and ailments.

If you always feel like a powder keg ready to explode anytime, then you are probably on a one way street to a miserable and disease-filled life. That is why more and more people are now learning about terms like stress management, stress relief and such.

I for one have been falling in stress traps especially when at work in past times. The pressures placed on my shoulder have made me get to my boiling point so many times. There are times when I wanted to shout to release my frustrations and I did so, but not in the face of my officemates. What I did is just go to a place where I could be alone and no one would be bothered by my (primal) screams.

Here are some other tips that you can use whenever you feel like exploding:

• Rather than strangle the person you’re mad at, get a stress ball or something like it. Squeeze slowly but firm. Focus on the ball you’re squeezing and in time you will feel your stress seep away.
• Give yourself some downtime. Take a walk or go somewhere that you can be alone and do some thinking. Take things into perspective.
• Feel like having a heart attack? Take a deep breath into your belly, a series of them. This will help you calm down.
• Talk to someone. Pouring out your problems and dilemmas can help lighten the load you have inside you.

I for one have been more relaxed because of these steps. Follow these tips and look forward to a more happier and healthier you.

Konstantin Koss

Popularity: 23% [?]

Tags: Relaxation, Relaxation Techniques, Stress, Stress Management, Stress Relief

I recently recieved a question by remy272.

“Do [you] have some tips on how to cool someone when he/she has a bad mood?”

Relaxing someone else?
This depends on so many variables since “bad mood” is an even more vague term than “stress”. Some specifics of the situation would help.

In general:

1. Be relaxed yourself

Trying to cool a fire with a burning piece of wood is very counter-productive. If you yourself are not in the state that you want the other person to lead to, forget it. If you view the bad mood of the other as any kind of danger, you first have to get over this. (This often happens in relationships, to take a common example. You unconsciously go “What’s that about? S/he doesn’t love me anymore? Is the relationship in danger?”)

Check out my post “The Real Reason of Stress”

2. Speak slowly with a calming and deep tonality

I don’t care if you are male or female. High pitched voices are an unconscious trigger for the perception of some kind of alert. The more your voice comes from the resonance in your belly and the more relaxing you speak, the higher are your chances of succeeding. Note: When we communicate, only about 5% of the percieved message comes from the actual words used. The other 95% come from tonality, rhythm, body language and so on.

3. Don’t focus on the topic of the bad mood

This only reinforces the state of mind you want to get the other person out of. Instead you want him or her to think about topics that allow them to develop a happier mood. You can’t change other people, all you can do is provide a context in that they can change themselves. That is key!

Paradoxically …

4. Deal with the underlying problems

If the bad mood has a real reason behind it, you can’t ignore that. Now it gets hard because there are so many reasons for a bad mood. If he or she is pissed because of a train they missed, that’s nothing to be concerned about.

Whereas if the bad mood stems from the fact that someone has to go to court, that’s a different story.

5. Don’t try to change anyone against their will.

I mentioned that one before but it’s worth repeating. Accepting where someone is at the moment should be before anything else. The person might not want to get out of the bad mood, many people are somewhat happy to complain. (Although they might not appear that way at first sight) At least they got something to talk about, they get sympathy from others, they have something to distract them from boredom, who knows …

All you can do is offer a context in which their mood can lighten up. Nothing more, nothing less. Trying to change someone generally results in power struggles.

Remy, thanks for your question. I hope that helps.

Feel free to ask me questions via the contact form.

Sincerely,

Konstantin Koss

Popularity: 11% [?]

Tags: Reader Questions, Relaxation, Ways to Relax

The tip number 6 of my recent top 10 ways to relax article was “use music”. I wrote:

6. Use music.

If music works for you, use it. Stick to soft tunes and don’t whip out that Metallica CD just yet. Rock music tends to use heavy bass lines, hard percussions and strong lyrics. If you’re tired and want to relax, turn to easy listening and save those faster tunes for some other time.

These positive and negative effects of music have actually been proven by the Japanese scientist Dr. Masaru Emoto, who runs tests with water and documents the changes of the molecule’s physical structure.

His scientific tests became famous in the movie “What the Bleep Do We Know” and are very informative to the effects that certain types of sound have on the physical world.

For example, when he would play heavy metal music to the water, the molecular structure looked very disturbed.

Now watch what happens when he played Beethoven’s Symphony No.9 into the water:

I suppose the results speak for themselves. I had to laugh hard when I saw this. Did you sense how good the music feels? After all we humans consist of something like 60% water.

Further information:

Dr. Masaru Emoto’s Internet Site

Wikipedia on Dr. Emoto

From the Blogosphere:

Messages in Water: Emoto’s Findings - There are many ways to look at water It is a chemical compound of Hydrogen and Oxygen (even most people who flunked, or never took chemistry probably know the symbol for water is H2O); it is the most pervasive substance on the planet …

An interview with Dr. Masaru Emoto - Dr. Masaru Emoto was born in Yokohama in July 1943. His initial education was in Humanities and Sciences at Yokohama Municipal University . In 1992 he received certification from the Open International University as a Doctor of …

Popularity: 12% [?]

Tags: Featured Video, Masaru Emoto, Relaxing Music, Ways to Relax

The body follows what the mind conceives. The condition of the mind often affects how the body performs, which explains why people who are stressed often suffer from accelerated aging and health problems. Unfortunately, with today’s highly frenetic society, stress is something that cannot be completely avoided. However, there are techniques that can help avoid or at least minimize stress. Follow these top 10 ways to relax and give your mind and body a good break.

1. Learn to breathe.

Breathing comes unconsciously, which sometimes encourages us to take it for granted. Several times a day, when you feel stress coming on or you feel tired and unenthusiastic, do a few deep breathing exercises. Here’s how:

Sit or stand with your spine straight and stretched slightly. Then slowly take a breath at a slow count of 3 and exhale just as slowly. Allow your lungs to expand as you take in the air and empty it as you breathe out. If it helps to close your eyes, then do so. Fresh oxygen helps enliven your blood and the slow breathing encourages you to sit or stand still for a moment.

2. Stretch.

Another way you can relax is by slow stretching. Whether you’re standing or seated, make sure to keep your spine straight and allow your arms to dangle loosely at your side. Feet should be flat on the floor and relaxed.

Slowly raise your arms high, as if you’re reaching for the ceiling and slowly raise yourself on the ball of your feet. Follow your hands with your eyes so your head can tilt back. Hold this position for a count of 10 and then slowly bring down your arms.

3. Increase your physical activities.

Or at least start one if you haven’t got any exercise regimen. Contrary to what other people think, exercising actually helps you relax afterwards. It cleanses your body of toxins by inducing sweat, increases your blood flow and the flow of oxygen to the brain and it works up your muscles.

Start slowly and gradually build up until you are able to maintain a regular schedule.

4. Watch your diet.

What you eat affects your mood. Another great way to relax is to maintain a diet that is rich in nutrients, such as antioxidants, folate and omega-3 fatty acids. Eat more fruits and vegetables and when you’re thirsty, grab a bottle of water and keep away from sodas and flavored drinks.

5. Get enough sound sleep.

Sleep is about quality and not just quantity but in times of stress, it’s best to get as much sleep as you can. About 6 to 8 hours should get you the rest you need.

Getting enough sleep is an excellent way to relax. It allows your body to regroup and recover and it eases your mind of other concerns.

6. Use music.

If music works for you, use it. Stick to soft tunes and don’t whip out that Metallica CD just yet. Rock music tends to use heavy bass lines, hard percussions and strong lyrics. If you’re tired and want to relax, turn to easy listening and save those faster tunes for some other time.

7. Turn away from the modern trappings of your life.

Often, some of the most relaxing things are those that are the most basic. Once a week or at least more, turn off the TV, unplug it and keep the remote out of easy reach. Turn off the computer as well.

These two are common sources of distractions. Since they show changing images and plenty of information, they can sometimes overload the mind. Keep things simple and don’t sweat the small, insignificant stuff.

8. Have time to yourself.

A good way to relax is to set aside time for some peace and quiet. What better way to do this than to schedule short vacations for yourself? You don’t have to pack your bags or even leave the house – simply close the door, find a nice, quiet place to sit and enjoy your own company.

9. Try yoga or meditation.

Yoga and meditation helps you attain a good body and mind connection. As a result, you’re more likely to feel relaxed and refreshed. Try simple yoga steps or learn to meditate a few minutes each day. Do these regularly and you’ll find that it will get easier to relax and manage stress later on.

10. Laugh.

Find your sense of humor again. Be with family and friends you can be yourself with. Laughter is one of the best ways to relax and it doesn’t have to cost a thing. It also helps you build connections with people in your life who really matter.

Related and manually approved information from the blogosphere:

• 15 Great Ways to Relax at Work

- Of course, listening to music with your headphones on also helps you to relax. Pick something you know will put you at ease. As much as I like postmodern electronic noise, cheesy ABBA songs work like a charm. Take your full lunch hour …

• Survey Results Show the Best Ways to Relax

- The blogosphere is awash with advice on how to destress and relax. How do we know what to believe and what is just recycled and repackaged from previous posts? Jesus’s advice was that one should judge the tree by its fruit. …

• Five Simple Ways to Relax at Work When Stress Strikes

- It is one of those things that can sneak up on you at work and explode in terrible and hurtful ways. When stress strikes it is really important to have some simple techniques in your arsenal that allow you to deal with the emotions in …

• Ways to Relax: 3 Quick Tips

- Whatever the case may be, I have a few ideas of ways to counterract this inevitable situation for so many of us. They are all tools you’ll be able to implement in only five minutes at a time. Pick a few of them and try them out! …

• 8 Easy Ways to Relax

- Meditation can be a great way to relax, especially if you are under a lot of stress 2. Green tea is very soothing — it contains theanine, an amino acid that gives flavor to green tea and also promotes relaxation. …

Popularity: 100% [?]

Tags: How to, Meditation, Relaxation, Relaxation Techniques, Ways to Relax, Yoga

There are many, many people on the net who are hammering out good content every day on all kinds of topics. When those people run a blog, we call that Blogosphere or ‘Sphere.

So let’s have a look at who got something valuable up on their blogs on relaxation techniques this week.

• How Relaxation Techniques Play An Important Role In Treating Anxiety Disorders

Before understanding how the equation of relaxation with anxiety disorders works, it is important to have an idea about the benefits and purpose of following various relaxation techniques. Relaxation is more or less a spiritual as well …

• Remedy for Headache Through Yoga

Yoga Techniques Can Relieve Headache. Recent researches illustrate that yoga techniques such as poses, breathing, and relaxation techniques are successful in relieving many ailments such as headache. There are many simple yoga poses in …

• Yoga Techniques That Help In Relaxation

Yoga Techniques That Help In Relaxation. Yoga is an age-old practice and has been followed by people especially in the Asian subcontinent, from time immemorial. Research shows that yoga originates from Hindu philosophy, the word yoga …

• MEDITATION AND RELAXATION

RELAXATION While growing evidence that relaxation techniques and meditation can have a positive influence on stress disorders, several comparative studies have shown that it is wrong to think that all these techniques have the same …

• Unravel the Mystery of Chakra Healing and Reap its Benefits!

Meditation is one highly proven method that promotes natural healing and relaxation techniques. Despite the fact that we can see or touch our energy points, aside from the above there are other ways that we can keep them healthy in …

• Introducing Some Of The Best Simple Free Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation is nothing but taking care of your body both physically and psychologically. Often people experience condition where they can not think anymore or work anymore feeling exhausted and tired. Relaxation techniques are based on …

Popularity: 16% [?]

Tags: Meditation, Relaxation Technique, Relaxation Techniques, Yoga

The past days I’ve been intensively looking into various relaxation techniques I could find on the web to widen my horizon.

Next to the most popular relaxation techniques I wrote about yesterday, I also found some good fewer known relaxation techniques. For example this “Diassociation Technique“. Let’s have a look into it:

“Mental Stress Release Technique

There may be moments in life which are hard for you. Heavy responsibility and multiple pressures from the outside make it difficult to cope. The high tension puts us in panic mode and we become frustrated as we scramble in a haphazard attempt to do our job.

Prolonged stress response seriously damages your health. Your hair falls out, you might go bald; you become old and haggard-looking; your perfect California body becomes a sack of potatoes. How sad is that? To age not because we partied ourselves to death, but because we worried ourselves to the grave. Mental stress is an enemy you have to learn to defeat.

Stress Release Technique: Disassociation

Before you attempt this technique, spend a few minutes to quiet your mind. You can do this by sitting in a relaxed position with your arms on your lap or by your side. Close your eyes and begin breathing slowly through your nostrils. Focus your attention on the breath.

Anything else that comes to mind, let it go and bring your attention back to the breath. You will find that as you continue this process for a few minutes your breathing becomes shallower and shallower, the thoughts entering your mind slow down, and you feel calmer with more peace in your heart. Now you are ready to use the following technique:

All you have to do is imagine you have died. When a person dies, there are no more worries and responsibilities to handle. The soul is free to travel to heaven and continue into its next life. Now I’m not asking you to die… just imagine it. See your body lying there lifeless while you feel your soul floating upwards to connect with the heavens.

See all the memories of your life drop way down below you. From this higher viewpoint, you can see all the events of your life which have shaped you. Your past, present, and future form one continuous line of memories below you. […]”

It clearly falls under the category of visualisation. I keep encouraging you to try out various relaxation techniques to see, which one fits you best.

Oh and did you know … every human fear basically comes down to the fear of death, Siegmund Freud already found that out. Dealing with the fear of death is actually dealing with the foundation of all other fears you might have. And did I already mention that fear is the cause of stress?

Have fun exploring.

Konstantin Koss

Popularity: 7% [?]

Tags: Disassociation, Mental Stress Release, Relaxation Techniques, Stress Management Techniques, Stress Release, Stress Relief

If screaming happens to be a little to radical of a technique for you, there are of course alternatives. I already told you about the Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique or “PMR” for short, but there are a couple of other relaxation techniques that have been proven to work.

Dr. Duffy of the Psychsense blog has recently put up a good summary of major relaxation techniques. Here he explains:

“Did you know that there are at at least four major relaxation techniques to reduce stress. Most people have a particular favorite. I often think that when people tell me they have not had success with relaxation techniques it is because they have not found the one that is right for them! We all respond differently to suggestion.

I personally have tried all 4 before I decided which one is best for me. […]

• Progressive Relaxation […]
• Meditation […]
• Autogenetic Training […]
• Visualization […]”

Click on the above link for details.

I have personally also experimented with all of these relaxation techniques as well andfound every one of them to have value. But instead of telling you what I have experienced with those relaxation techniques, why not just pick up Dr. Duffy’s thread and encourage you to try out and see which one fits you best?

Sincerely,

Konstantin Koss

Popularity: 13% [?]

Tags: Autogenetic Training, Meditation, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Progressive Relaxation, Relaxation Techniques, Visualization