Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
Each of us is wired differently, but one aspect we all have in common: Certain activities relieve stress. When life overflows with tension–the holiday season can be anything but jolly; the year’s end can weigh heavy if goals are unmet–we need to make a conscious decision to relax. But often, instead of pursuing some activity that will minimize the affects of stress, we become so bound up in the situation that we can’t stop trying to press forward.
For me, the list of stress-buster activities is pretty short.
Relax via Exercise.
I find Zumba a refreshing way to get moving, stretch those muscles cramped from hours at the computer, and flex the mind by trying to follow intricate choreography.
Relax via Reading.
Studies show that individuals start to relax 10 to 15 minutes after settling in to read a book, magazine article, or the newspaper. As a matter of fact, the relaxing effect kicks in sooner when a person reads as opposed to pursuing almost any other activity. I read in bed because it causes my mind to shift from the day’s events to the book’s events. And then I slip much more readily into sleep.
Of course, we’ve all read that the light emanating from our e-readers’ screens, television screens, and computer screens disrupt our brains and bodies from preparing to slip into slumber; so I’ve returned to more time reading with a physical book.
Relax via Laughing.
Laughter often is the best medicine. First, it helps us to realize that humor can be found in almost any situation. Second, it makes us stop frowning! Funny how something so small can reset our mental and emotional barometers.
Relax via Aromas.
Certain scents woo our minds into a quieter place. For me, lavender works wonders. I spray lavender on my sheets and pillows to say, “The sleep train is pulling into the station.”
Relax via water.
Combining lavender bath salts with some time soaking in a tub of toasty water are the perfect equation to add up to relaxation for me.
I’m feeling relaxed just writing about relaxation!
What relaxes you?
‘Tis the season to relax. Really. Here are suggestions. Click to tweet.
Need to relax? 5 suggestions. Click to tweet.
Great suggestions, Janet, and truly apropos for the season!
* As for me, I’ll relax when I’m dead.I’m not being flippant, unfortunately. Every breath and every movement is painful enough to make me wince or worse, and there’s just no getting past that save the use of strong narcotics which carry their own costs that my body can no longer pay. Sleep comes in a shallow doze replete with eerie nightmares, that would make good fodder for writing if I had the will to face them more than once.
* While there is no relaxation there is nonetheless Joy. Some of its sources are, for me:
– Participation in this wonderful community, even when just making a single short comment uses all the creative energy I have
– A cheap cigar and a good book or movie
– A playful dog (may I suggest a huge but highly immature Bullmastiff?)
– The minimal work I can still do upon aeroplanes; a part that would have taken me an afternoon to fabricate now takes weeks, but I still find satisfaction in a difficult job well done
– Seeing the corona of the sun peek over the eastern mountains in the instant before sunrise, and seeing the Green Flash in the west as the sun sets (yes, the Green Flash, like Santa, DOES exist!)
* All of these take energy, even stepping out to see the sun rise and set, but while relaxation will not come, this process has taught me that Joy is far more than intentional; it’s a Christian duty.
* For how else are we to be the living bearers of the Good News and ambassadors for the Saviour of the World other than in the glow of an ineffably joyous heart that lights our countenances, and in that joy-birthed love we extend to friend and enemy alike?
If anyone’s interested, I was privileged to write a guest post this week on Five Minute Friday, the timed and keyword-driven writing challenge hosted by Kate Motaung, on the subject of ‘Counting It All Joy’.
* For a long time I found James 1:2 REALLY irritating…to me he was kind of the Joel Osteen of Bible Days.
* Such was the depth of my immaturity and rebellion. The best learning comes through the hardest lesons, and perfoce, here is the link –
http://katemotaung.com/2016/12/08/five-minute-friday-joy-guest-post/
* I’ve lerned to smile with Joel as well. Who would have thought?
Joy is a choice. And I, for one, am glad it is your choice, Andrew–and that you share it with us here.
Shirlee, thank you so much!
Read the guest post. A blessing it was.
Joy, joy, in my heart.
Joel’s smile could be infectious.
Michael, thank you so muc!
I smiled at the Joel Osteen mention. Yup, that sort of person can be an irritant, if we let our thoughts fall in that direction.
Andrew, thanks for mentioning the sheer, overwhelming beauty of nature. I think choosing to be observant of it is key to our sense of well-being and of being in the presence of a magnificent Creator.
What relaxes me? Change of pace.
*If I’ve been sitting for hours at the computer, I hit the stationary bike. If I’ve been running errands all day, settling in with a good book. If my mind’s doing laps around the day’s troubles, I relax with something that requires concentration (writing!). When my workplace is a sea of stress, I crave a hot bath. If I’m hating on the world, bring on a funny movie.
*Anytime, anywhere, a talk with God helps. “Sleep’s good for that,” he often tells me.
Shirlee, that’s a good point about how helpful it can be just to change up the pace. Even if that means moving from sitting in front of a computer to a stationary bike.
Even better a stationary bike with a laptop tray attached. I’ll share pictures of the one my husband designed with anyone who contacts me. A handyperson could build one off the set of views.
If anyone would like a relaxing laugh (or more likely a deep groan), here’s a riddle –
* What do you have to do when your hiking partner from Tulsa breaks a leg?
* The answer? Karaoke.
Yup, that’s a groaner. Thanks, Andrew.
I’m a sleeper. I fall asleep nearly as soon as I hit the bed, unless I’ve had caffeine in the evening. Even a cup of decaffeinated coffee will amazingly keep me awake. A hot bath is very relaxing for me. A good cry, when I’m overwhelmed. 🙂 And yes, oh yes, laughter … I have a few family members who can make me laugh so hard … laughter is the best.
It changes with time, but right now:
1. Driving and/or hiking to take landscape photos of the PNW. Editing those photos. Posting those photos on Instagram.
2. Baking and/or decorating cookies while listening to a good audio book.
Taking photos is very relaxing for me. And looking at your pictures on Instagram is very relaxing for me, too. Your photos are breath-taking, Lori.
Photography relaxes me, too, Lori. I never used to shoot panoramas, but I’ve started doing that for the header images at my website. A different one pops up at random, so there’s a surprise with every visit or click. Looking at a wide span of desert country or mountains makes me relive the memories of being there and drains tension away.
Kneading a big lump of dough and shaping balls to make rolls works well for relaxing me. The dough is so silky and springy, and nothing beats cheddar cheese dinner rolls for a snack!
Lori, your photos are breathtaking! Every time I see them, I just have to stop and marvel at God’s beauty!
Playing the piano and reading both relax me. I prefer the feel of hardcopy to electronic, but it’s not as handy when I’m reading in bed with a light-sleeping hubby beside me. I use a small headlamp then. If I really want it dark for him, I use the red light instead of white.
My Kindle Fire has a one-tap setting that switches the text display to tan instead of white. That should solve the blue-light problem for those who have trouble dozing off. I’m not one of them. My husband says insomnia for me is taking 30 seconds instead of 3 to fall asleep.
That all-consuming to-do list is almost as long as the to-buy/make list. Even at this late date, when I’d normally have Christmas “done,” I’m stressing.
Needed this list today. Thanks so much!
I needed it too, hence the genesis for this blog post.
Music works best for me. I’ve fell asleep listening to songs than any other activity.
When strung up, I simply yell once, try to refocus, think on a verse (not always) and sleep.
Reading tasks my brain rather than relaxing it.
Michael, music is a great way to relax.
Janet, I needed this post today. With a hubs who travels, a sick kiddo, and Christmas deadlines bearing down on me, I’m anything but relaxed. I need to do something so I don’t implode. 🙂
*Taking photos is therapeutic for me. I love seeing how God plays with color and light and trying to capture it with a lens.
*Reading a good book is also relaxing (though, I admit, finding time to sit down and do this has been a challenge.
*Watching a relational movie (as opposed to Civil War and the like) with my hubs and a bowl of popcorn is relaxing too. Even if I’ve seen the movie before, I enjoy sitting and being with my guy.
*Talking with a friend over coffee or a meal is relaxing. It’s the relating/sharing hearts with another person that helps me feel relaxed.
Now that you’ve made this relaxation list, go and apply it! 🙂
Music. A good movie. Reading. Laughing with a friend.
All those things I’ve employed over the last 10 days.
And as crazy as it sounds? Editing relaxes me.
Oddly enough, not lavender. If I sprayed that lovely fragrance on my pillow? The ER train would be calling me.
As I said, we’re all wired differently. For you, relaxing means AVOIDING lavender!
What about combining them? Reading while laughing in a lavender scented tub, and exercising??? Well, you can totally combine the reading, the tub, and the lavender…yes even the laughing if it is a funny book. Reading relaxes me the most. About 7 years into our marriage, we finally discovered that no I didn’t need to get away to watch a movie or play a board game with friends like he did. Nope, I needed a day away at a coffee shop alone with a book. Does wonders for a stressed out mother of 3 boys. Even when I had to stay home because our youngest never did take a bottle, my husband would occasionally make a pillow barricade in the dinning room and wrestle the boys while I read, hiding behind it with snacks.
You certainly know what it takes to relax, and that’s wonderful. Actually, it’s even better that your husband gets it.
Great post, and wonderful suggestions!
As for me, I’m having to re-learn what relaxes me. It used to be writing and a good, long wander around the mall and/or my favorite shops with coffee in hand. These days, however, those things tend to suffocate and make my shoulders raise up rather than release and renew. Well, not the writing – I still enjoy it but I tense up because the TIME for it is so much less than it was even six months ago.
Time with friends used to refresh me, but we’ve lost our tribe in our overseas move and so any meeting with a new or potential friend is filled with the work of laying the foundation of relationship. Good, worthy work, but work nonetheless.
I know I FEEL better when I exercise, but in this season it just feel like another THING to do. I think, honestly, what would relax me most is a silent house and a long nap. Like, Rip van Winkle long. LOL
You’re sounding like the mother of a baby. And sometimes a nap is JUST what the doctor ordered. So now, your job is to figure out how to make it happen. Wishing you a nice, long slumber.
Love this. As a stay at home mom with small children I’ve learned that relaxation doesn’t have to mean going somewhere else. It’s more what I’m doing like:
-sitting by a twinkling Christmas tree with all the other lights out.
-sipping coffee or hot chocolate while watching the sunset from my kitchen window.
-getting outside to walk. I hate treadmills, even in the winter, I just need to get outside.
-reading the Psalms.
Thanks for the reminder to slow down and enjoy the little things. Merry Christmas!
Angela, you’re so right: We can pause and take-in the beauty around us to relax. No need to zip off to Paris, nice as that might be.
Andrew, thanks for mentioning the sheer, overwhelming beauty of nature.
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