Training Your Mind to Relax

Feeling stressed? Unhappy? Need to calm down? It’s time to train your mind that it’s OK to relax.

Scheduling time for relaxation can be hard with our busy lives. Particularly when our minds are swimming with other things; an upcoming exam, a deadline at work, or an argument with a loved one.

But, the important thing is to try. Taking care of yourself – body and mind – can help you to improve your outlook on life and your general well-being.

You can try a number of relaxation exercises until you find one that really works for you. When you find one that’s helpful, be sure to practise it on a regular basis. Over time, these relaxation exercises will help you calm down more quickly and easily.

Here are some great relaxation exercises that you can implement into your daily life:

Spend time with animals

As a relaxation exercise, this can be the most enjoyable. Many studies have shown that being with animals can lower blood pressure and reduce stress. If you don’t have a pet yourself, visit a friend who does or go to a petting zoo.

Listen to calming music

Whether your preference is for rap, rock, country, or something else, listening to your favourite genre of music can be relaxing. But, if you find that this still isn’t helping, try some slow, soothing music to help ease your mind.

• Avoid loud vocals or heavy instruments, as they will make it harder for you to relax. Sometimes instrumental music is best.
• You could also try listening to various nature sounds such as those from the ocean or a forest.

Try foods that help you relax

While a tub of ice cream might feel like the solution to a stressful day, it might not be at top of a health professional’s ‘recommended foods’ list. That being said, though, eating certain foods can actually affect our hormone levels:

• Foods rich in selenium can help lower depression and anxiety. These include shiitake mushrooms, nuts (particularly Brazil nuts), salmon, cod and tuna.
• Foods with a high tryptophan content help to produce serotonin, which increases happiness. Such foods include nuts, red meat and dark chocolate.

So, feed your body, mind and soul with healthy, nourishing food. You could try following a new recipe, or you can make it up as you go!

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