How do you find time to release those pent-up stress when you are busy working all day?
In today's world, a quick pace of life calls for quick measures. (Singapore has the world's fastest walkers, no less! Read about rankings here).
With only short and odd pockets of free time here and there, I have found some fast and easy ways to recharge and perk myself up before another round of endless chores. Hope you'll find them useful as much as I do. Enjoy!
1. Turn on the Music
Music can lift me up instantly. I'll let it take me away from my tiredness and free my mind. More often than not, I'll sing to it, groove to it, or play it out loud while I'm doing something, like housework. This is my number one way to relax and cheer up. Never underestimate the power of music; it can motivate, inspire, calm, relax, heal wounds and give you an energy boost. Or it could be a means of catharsis, providing a channel or outlet to release bottled up feelings (e.g. worries and unhappiness) which may have accumulated unconsciously. It does not have to be vocal nor does it need to be pumping loud - a softly played classical/instrumental number can deliver the same results.
2. Paint
Recently, I tried my hands at painting and it was therapeutic. I painted section by section as long as my free time permits. Gosh, I was so lost in the painting process and when I'm done, it was as if I've hit my refresh button and has centred my off-balanced self back to the original setting. Getting into the flow (the complete absorption in what one is doing), losing track of time and then, being back fully refreshed was truly rejuvenating. And hey, I could say I was once somehow in the same mental realm as my favourite painter Vincent Van Gogh!
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| Painting My Beloved's Beloved. I'm so going to put this in the study of our new home! |
3. Yoga
Yoga can help relieve bodily pains, strengthen your core, reduce anxiety, increase your resistance to stress and is considered a form of meditation. Truly, one cannot ignore the strong connection between the body and the mind - if your body feels good and fit, you will feel better mentally and emotionally.
Currently, I have three favourite yoga poses which I do in the morning to crank myself up for the busy day ahead. Why not find your favourites and you can do them whenever you need an energy boost, like during a mid-day slump? One pose only takes a few minutes to start reaping the benefits. If I have more time, I'll attend the beginner's class on my ipod app Yogify (Note: My whole body started burning and trembling within 15 minutes) And if you have the gumption for it, sign up for a yoga course and you'll be a full-fledged yogi in no time.
4. Meditate
Admittedly, I would say I have never fully went into meditation before. Yes, I had tried sitting still for 8 minutes which felt like forever and I tried focusing on my breathing and visualising all sorts of kind thoughts. But well, that few minutes of tranquility is worth all the effort. Anyway, if it is said to reduce stress and anxiety and that it can lead to 'true happiness', I am willing to keep trying.
Up till now, my favourite type of meditation is guided meditation which comes with peaceful/nature background music. I watch guided meditation videos on YouTube where I simply follow the instructions of the guider/teacher. It goes: Now, relax your shoulders,... breathe in deeply for 5 seconds... Next, imagine yourself on top of a mountain with crisp fresh morning air...
At times, just before fetching my hyperactive son from school, I'll spend the last 5 minutes meditating, focusing on my breathing to 'clear my mind' and ready myself in a Zen state. You can try this to prepare yourself for the 'turbulence' ahead - like for an interview or a presentation.
Note: Sometimes, when I feel like I'm going to explode from my anger (courtesy of my son and/or husband), I'll shut my eyes and breathe in a few times deeply, kind of like a meditation. :) Try it to see if it works for you.
5. Have a Quick Home Spa: Massage and Heat Therapy
I often sneak in a quick self-massage whenever I'm bathing. Try this: When you shampoo, use the ball of your fingers (not the nails!) to gently massage your whole scalp. This improves blood circulation of your scalp and even promotes hair growth. If you are having a headache, use your thumbs to massage in small circular motion on your temples and upper-jaws, the area in front of your ears. Next, when you are showering, make use of the soapy, slippery nature of the shower foam to massage your body: Use both your thumbs to knead the back of your neck. Then, use your four fingers to knead the top and back your shoulders and your upper arms (cross your arms when doing this). Finally, lift your feet and give the soles a few strokes of pressure using your fingers and end by stroking your calf and thigh muscles upwards towards your heart to further improve your blood circulation. You can choose to sit down which is safer - the floor may be too slippery.
After your massage, have a little heat therapy: target a very warm shower spray onto your sore muscles for about 5 seconds on each spot. Let the warm water land on the back of your neck, shoulders, back, thighs and calf muscles. Feel the heat releasing your body tension. Not forgetting your toes, give them a good splash of heat. In fact, after a warm shower, I'll always feel squeaky clean, refreshed and renewed - like I had just washed my tiredness away and is now a brand-new me! But you should not do so for too long or the heat will dry up your skin. Slather on some body moisturizer if you like.
6. Laugh Out Loudly
Laughing is certainly the easiest and fastest way to lift your spirits. You can watch a funny movie, read a funny book or keep a very upbeat friend with you, especially someone who can induce your belly laugh with little effort. It's even better if you can make each other laugh, as making someone else laugh makes you happier too! Well, I married that friend and have not regret since. Every now and then, we'll have a good laugh over something silly or he'll make me laugh with a funny remark and the 'happy effect' can last for days, weeks, even years - especially so, if it was a belly-holding or side-splitting laugh. Haha!
7. Take a Walk in the Nature
One will indeed instantly experience a sense of wellness when he is within the nature. This is what nature gives - they have the ultimate healing powers. In fact, I find walking as a great window of time to collect and clear my thoughts or 'think things through' - a little bit of mental housekeeping. So go on, find a park, garden or beach near your home for your daily walks. Who knows, you may even walk off a few pounds. All those little bits do add up :)
8. Sleep
If you feel down and out or feel that you cannot cope anymore, all you might really need is a good, undisturbed nap. For a quality slumber, switch off your gadgets or put them down when you first feel tired enough to sleep. Do not put off your sleep by hanging on for another game, another webpage or replying another message. Do not delay or interrupt sleep over social connectedness. This habit might just lead to a chronic health problem in the long run. Just let go and have a good sleep or a good 10-minute nap. I am in fact, guilty of this and is working on it myself! Everyone, let us improve on this together for our long-term health, shall we?
9. Dance
Dancing never fails to make me happy instantly. Hook up to a wireless earphone or strap up your ipod to your arms and just let the music take over you. Be it Jazz, Rock or Pop music, just groove to the beat of the music and get lost in it. Have a sexy dance, a happy dance or even a crazy dance in the comfort of your own home. (Ladies, put on your heels!) This is actually how I burnt off my pregnancy fats :) - it's truly a great indoors, sweat-out exercise. After a good dancing session, my body starts to relax and the 'feel good' hormones are then released into my body. All the organs of my body now seem to have re-strengthened and is working like a well-oiled machine. I feel energised and I breathe better. It feels great to be fit and healthy!
10. Go for a Foot Massage
Reflexology anyone? Ooh.. That heavenly sense of weightlessness after the massage session - I can feel that my blood circulation has improved, my body is much lighter, my feet are no longer as tired and sore and it feels like I'm walking on fluffy clouds - happiness! For me, though, foot massage doesn't have to hurt - it's the skill, not the strength that matters. But if pain is your thing... please do so. ;)
11. Be Kind to Someone
Help someone today unconditionally, even a complete stranger. Share something, lend a helping hand, give up a seat, or simply smile genuinely to light up someone's day.
12. Pore through Your Old and New Photos
Have a good laugh at your silly, out-of-date fashion sense in your old photos or reminisce about the good times you have had in that recent holiday trip. This is one of my mom's favourite pastimes. Even better, make slideshows out of them complete with background music for your own pleasure viewing. Note: I find playing my photos on the large TV screen using the Apple TV very amusing.
13. Meet an Old Friend
Just to 'touch base', to encourage and support each other, to lend a listening ear, have someone to talk to about the daily happenings in your life or have an uninterrupted tête-à-tête session. This deeper-level conversation gives one a lingering sense of comfort and security which brings about a great psychological boost.
14. Prepare Food for Loved Ones
Bake a cake or whip up a meal for your loved ones. Even better, have fun cooking or baking together!
15. Do What You Love, and Spread That Love.
This is my life motto. It simply means to find something (anything!) that you love doing - perhaps something that puts you in the flow state - and then do something good out of it, like making someone else happy.
For instance, if you like making cards, why not send some self-made greeting cards to your loved ones this Christmas? You spread your love by spreading the Christmas cheer. Or, if you love to bake, and has successfully opened a cake shop, why not donate some of your profits or give away cakes on certain festive seasons?
For me, I love making notes and lists for everyday life. Hopefully, by sharing them on my blog, they can help make someone's life be easier and happier :)
So, what do you love to do?