If you feel the year is rushing on and you have not had a moment to yourself, why not try to utilise the time you can spare to get the most out of it.
Here are five ideas to help you take a time to just breathe! If you have:
- Five minutes – Set a timer for five minutes. Sit down or lie down and get comfortable. Start to follow the current pattern of your breath. Notice how it feels. Do you have equal breath, or is your in breath longer or shorter than your out breath? Can you feel your lungs fill with air, and on the outbreath does it feel nice to expel all the air out and then take your next breath in. After 5 full cycles of breath, begin to slow down. Take a slow deep breath in and slowly release your breath out. Continue to elongate your out breath and notice how it feels. Continue until your timer finishes. Slowing down your breathing will help your body and mind move from the stress state of fight or flight and move to rest and digest where your heart rate slows and your blood pressure drops. Whilst it may only be five minutes, you will reap the rewards from it. It is amazing what you can do with just five minutes.
- 30 minutes – This is a great amount of time to pick up your book and start reading or start a new book. You might wish to read a magazine and put your feet up whilst you do so. Or if you are looking to be more creative with your time, what’s stopping you from drawing or painting or even colouring in? Grab your paper and pens or paints and go for it. Make your own masterpiece with no judgement. You are not there to be amazing and perfect, you are looking to be lost in the moment, enjoying the flow of the paint brush or pen as it connects with the paper. There are many things you can do to take a moment of calm within 30 minutes, so don’t limit yourself. You could begin to paint or draw and after 30 minutes, stop and pick it up again when you next have time to spare.
- 60 minutes – Get outside and go for a walk. No matter what the weather, dress appropriately and start stomping the pavements, meandering through the forest or walking on the sand at the beach. You have many options when it comes to walking that you will always find something to suit you at that moment. Once you have chosen where you are walking, are you happy to get out and about and listen to the sounds surrounding you or would you prefer to listen to something. For example, if you are walking through the streets and traffic is busy, noisy, you may wish to listen to music, a podcast or a book. This can enhance your experience, taking you to a place of calm despite your location. You may wish to listen to soft, chilled out music or a podcast that makes you laugh. If you are walking in the woods then you may wish to listen to nature and the birds chirping around you or the squirrels running up the trees, the twigs snapping beneath your feel. Dogs barking, the wind rushing through the trees. This can really help to give you a boost and feel good.
- Four hours – There are many things you can do when you have four hours. You can do one thing, or several smaller things. You may wish to combine some of the ideas above. Whatever you decide to do you want to be sure it will de-stress, relax and calm you. If you are looking for a bit of luxury you could book a spa day and spend some time in the pool swimming, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi before you enjoy a lovely relaxing massage. An aromatherapy massage or a hot stones massage can be just what you needed to relax your tired, tense muscles and de stress. Quite often when you are at a spa day you can make use of a relax room after your massage to give you some extra time to allow the beautiful oils to soak in and work their magic. Another idea would be to get outdoors and pack a picnic. Go for a lovely walk around a loch or in a forest and stop to have a picnic. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and being in nature. Once you have found your chosen spot, take your time to unpack and get comfy, enjoying your surroundings as you munch on your food. Afterwards, breathe deep and inhale the fresh air.
- One day – Take yourself on a day trip or plan a full day at home. Think of what helps you to be calm and relaxed. What activities do you enjoy and lose track of time doing? Build a day for you filled with what you love to do. You may wish to combine it with a trip out. For example, you could spend your morning painting, reading, baking, followed by a walk for an hour or two, a picnic, and then go for a lovely afternoon spa day including a massage. Or you may wish to book yourself on a course of something you enjoy, like a cake decorating day or chocolate making day. You might want to buy yourself a kit to make something at home, such as candles or a painting kit. Or you might be exited to read your favourite authors new book and spend the whole day reading. Lots of choices, you have to find the one that suits you the best.
Regardless of how many minutes or hours you have spare. There will always be an activity you can do to fit the time you have. There is no need to limit yourself to only 30 minutes for example as you can continue with the activity (if it is doable) the next time you have a moment to yourself.
We can all benefit from taking time out to do the things we love that is great for our wellbeing and help us to relax and breathe. Find what you enjoy and pick your moment to do it.
Thank you for reading and have a lovely calm week.
Love Emma xx
Wellbeing with Relaxing Lavender 