Everyday Calm: Relaxing Rituals for Busy People (10 page)

These two anytime, anywhere gentle breathing exercises are great escapes from your hectic schedule. Before you begin, find a comfortable place to sit down and let go of your busy day.

INSTANT CALM:

1. Inhale deeply and slowly, counting as you breathe in.

2. Count as you exhale and make the out breath twice as long as the in breath was.

3. Don’t worry about how high you count; just focus on relaxing your entire body.

INSTANT PEACE:

1. Using your right thumb, cover the right nostril and inhale through your left nostril.

2. Place your index finger over the left nostril and exhale through your right nostril.

3. Go slowly and focus on relaxing your thoughts.

4. Repeat for eight to ten breaths, or until you feel relaxed.

After you have completed your business for the day, step out of work mode and into a more relaxed state. The main idea behind writing in your journal is to help you open up to your feelings and cast aside your worries. Pent-up emotion creates tension and confusion. After a busy day, writing down your thoughts can help you unwind and prepare for a peaceful sleep. Try setting an egg timer for five minutes and writing whatever pops into your head in that time. Soon you’ll find it interesting to look over your notes from the past weeks and months and see how you are changing for the better and gaining new perspectives. What you were once so worried about is now forgotten! To be a successful journal writer, be as honest as you can on paper. By opening up, you will feel a deeper understanding of yourself and a greater ability to handle your daily challenges.

During commercial breaks in your favorite TV show or the Big Game, hit the mute button, sit back, get comfortable, and close your eyes. Let your body levitate in your recliner, couch, or bed. Visualize your body completely limp. Take deep, long relaxing breaths. With each exhalation, allow the day’s stresses to melt away. Do a body scan, starting from your head and moving slowly down, relaxing your body part by part. Imagine that you are floating on a cloud in your living room. Take a rest; the world will wait patiently for your return.

Take a break from your couture savvy! Go on an adventure into your closet in search of something different to wear around the house. Relieve yourself of fashion sense and mix and match spontaneously. Dress up your divine self. By wearing different colors and outfits, you can inspire a deep inner creativity. Don’t fret—you don’t have to go out in public; this is purely for you to enjoy! A little freedom from style can help you unwind and get more comfortable after a long day. You may make new style discoveries and want to change your entire wardrobe. But if you don’t, at least no one saw you!

Take a step into the relaxation zone! Schedule a meeting just for you, your bath salts, and your bathtub. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil for a relaxing aromatic touch. Dim the lights, light the candles, and stop the action. Focus on melting tension away.

Help your muscles relax in the warm water by trying this stretch.

1. While sitting in the tub, brace your hands underneath your calves.

2. Place the soles of your feet flat against the end of the bathtub.

3. Gently lower your upper body into a forward bend.

4. Let your head drop forward and relax your neck muscles.

5. Breathe and relax into the stretch.

Be patient with yourself; peace and relaxation will arrive.

Even when you’re tired it can be hard to fall asleep. This exercise is sure to bring on the Z’s. Get into bed and lie flat on your back with your arms and legs apart. Take long and deep breaths, imagining that you are breathing into your whole body. After taking a deep inhalation, hold your breath. Practice tightening all the muscles in your body and hold tight for a few moments. Exhale and release all your muscles, imagining that each muscle is limp and relaxed. Repeat this practice three times, or until you can feel your body melting into your mattress. This will help you fall asleep peacefully.