| Everyone would like a happy, relaxed lifestyle -- a | | | | types of tension: physical and mental. You feel |
| calmness and serenity that lasts day after day. For | | | | physical tension in your muscles; they become tense |
| most, however, this is difficult to achieve. Problems, | | | | and tight. Mental tension is generally associated with |
| frustrations, anxieties and so on get in the way. But | | | | the mind, and it is caused by your emotions. The two |
| if you take time to relax, you can come close. | | | | types are related in that one usually leads to the |
| Relaxation is the key. When you are completely | | | | other; in particular, mental tension almost always |
| relaxed you are content and have an inner peace -- a | | | | leads to physical tension. |
| feeling of satisfaction and happiness with your life. | | | | You can go a long ways towards giving yourself a |
| Although a relaxed lifestyle requires learning some | | | | relaxed lifestyle by using the above relaxation |
| relaxation techniques and using them it also needs | | | | methods. But for a completely relaxed lifestyle and |
| something else. In particular, you also have to learn to | | | | its associated inner peace you also need the proper |
| relax at your job and other activities. Enjoying your | | | | attitude. |
| job is of high priority. Don't tie yourself up in knots | | | | The Proper Attitude |
| trying to get your work done; you can get just as | | | | If you already have the proper attitude for a relaxed |
| much done (and likely more) by working in a relaxed | | | | lifestyle you don't have to worry. But most people |
| way. | | | | don't. You can't be completely relaxed if you have a |
| Another thing that is important for a relaxed lifestyle | | | | pessimistic, negative attitude. Your attitude has been |
| is keeping busy. Keeping busy is, in fact, one of the | | | | developed over many years, and it came mainly from |
| best ways to keep yourself relaxed, but for this | | | | your parents and friends. At this stage of your life it's |
| keep the following in mind. | | | | likely well-ingrained, and if it is negative you will have |
| - Don't undertake more than you can handle. | | | | to change it. |
| - Don't worry about your work, just do it. | | | | People with a negative attitude have a pessimistic |
| - When you start to feel stress, take a short break | | | | outlook on life. They allow themselves to get upset |
| and relax. Don't let it build up. | | | | and depressed by the smallest things. They dwell on |
| Some of the things that help you achieve a relaxed | | | | the ills, difficulties and problems in their life; they think |
| lifestyle are: | | | | about them day after day, gradually magnifying them |
| - A good attitude | | | | until they are out of control. They can't face their |
| - Having fun -- living your life, not letting it just pass | | | | problems; they let them become obsessions until |
| - Taking short vacations, even if just over a | | | | finally they are so stressed out they have a nervous |
| weekend | | | | breakdown. |
| - Short naps are helpful when you start to get | | | | It's critical that you "let go" before your problems |
| stressed (15 minutes) | | | | become obsessions and ruin your life. Furthermore, in |
| - Spending a few minutes relaxing your muscles when | | | | this state you cannot be relaxed, or have a relaxed |
| they start to get tense | | | | lifestyle. You have to change your attitude. |
| - Using quiet periods | | | | Most of the problems of people in the above state |
| - Meditation and music | | | | are due to "habits"-- habits that have been developed |
| Muscle Relaxation | | | | as a result of their attitude.What you want is to |
| For complete relaxation your muscles must be | | | | change these habits, and indeed you can if you |
| relaxed, and three of the major muscles to | | | | change your attitude. It can't be changed overnight, |
| concentrate on are: | | | | but it can be changed. (It's well-known fact that |
| - Muscles of the eyes | | | | habits can be changed.) If you have a negative |
| - Muscles of the jaw and throat | | | | outlook on life, make a resolution to change it. Begin |
| - Muscles of the heart and chest | | | | by telling yourself that you don't want your life to |
| Relax these muscles and you have gone a long ways | | | | center around your problems and difficulties. You |
| toward total relaxation. The best way is to close | | | | want a relaxed lifestyle that emphasizes optimism, |
| your eyes and keep your mind blank, then | | | | happiness, contentment and inner peace. Think about |
| concentrate on the area you wish to relax. Sit calmly | | | | it. Substitute positive thoughts for every negative |
| and quietly and say to yourself, "I am relaxed... very | | | | one that comes into your mind. Little by little you will |
| relaxed." | | | | make progress. If you do it long enough, your |
| Apply this to the three above areas, and also to your | | | | subconscious mind will take over and change your |
| shoulders if they feel tense. Do it for several minutes. | | | | habits automatically. In fact, it will change your entire |
| When you are completely relaxed, you will feel much | | | | personality. |
| better.. | | | | Also, remember that in many cases it's your attitude |
| The Three Minute Quiet Period | | | | towards your problems that is the real problem, not |
| An alternative to the above that may, at times, be | | | | the problem itself. Use this to your advantage. Think |
| quicker and easier is the three minute quiet period. | | | | about your problem; is it really that important. If it is, |
| You can use it several times a day, or whenever you | | | | list ways it can be solved and take action. In many |
| feel tension starting to build. Sit in a comfortable chair | | | | cases, however, it may actually be quite trivial -- built |
| and remain quiet and relaxed for three minutes. Don't | | | | up in your mind. If so, relax and forget it. If it |
| think of anything -- let your mind relax. Enjoy the | | | | involves another person, talk it over calmly with |
| moment. | | | | them. Try to resolve it. |
| (Meditation and music are also helpful, but I will deal | | | | In summary, with the proper attitude you can |
| with them in a separate article,) | | | | develop a relaxed lifestyle by using the techniques |
| It's important to note that there are actually two | | | | that I discussed earlier in the article. |