This week – On Thursday, August 15th – we acknowledge National Relaxation Day.
For persons with Type A Personality … Relaxing can be a challenge.
Incorporating Relaxation as a Health and Fitness Benefit may make it more palatable for always-on-the-go folk among us.
Here are a few internet-generated ways to combine Relaxation and Fitness such that we improve both physical and mental well-being.
Mindful Movement
- Yoga: Incorporates deep breathing, meditation, and gentle stretching.
- Tai Chi: Focuses on slow, fluid movements with mental awareness.
- Pilates: Emphasizes core strength, flexibility, and posture, often with a calming atmosphere.
Outdoor Activities
- Hiking: Immerse yourself in nature while getting exercise.
- Swimming: The water’s resistance provides a workout, while the buoyancy is soothing.
- Cycling: Enjoy the outdoors at a leisurely pace.
Add Calming Music to Indoor Relaxation Activities
- Stretching: Improve flexibility and reduce muscle tension.
- Easy Foam Rolling: Release muscle tension and improve circulation.
- Breathing Exercises: Incorporate deep breathing into your workout routine.
My favorite quick way to Relax (Oh Uh – a Type A Personality – is writing this post) is to step outside onto the sidewalk in front of my apartment.
From there I stand in one place and turn to face North, South, West then East, raising and lowering my arms once when facing each direction.
At the end, when facing East, I finish by closing my hands in prayer position in front of my chest.
Instant RELAXATION.
“It Works. It Really Does.” 1 WF!
1. “It works – it really does.” is a quote from AnonymousPress page 88. “…humbly saying to ourselves many times each day “Thy will be done.” We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves.
It works – it really does.”