Become More Relaxed In a Day For Dummies by Shamash Alidina

Author:Shamash Alidina
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2012-05-21T04:00:00+00:00

Calming scents

You need to choose the right scent, depending on how you react to stress. If you need energising, choose the invigorating scents. If you need calming, go for the soothing smells. Experiment to see which scents work for you.

Scientists stressed out some poor lab rats and found that those who were exposed to linalool, a chemical in lavender, citrus, basil, birch and other plants, returned to almost normal levels of stress.

Here are some examples of ways to access scents when stressed:

Have a flower that gives off a pleasant scent at home or in the office.

Carry a little bottle containing your favourite scent for relaxation, such as lavender.

Burn some incense sticks in your home. Choose a scent you like.

Use a scented candle when you can.

Briefly smell your delicious meal before you begin eating it.

Get some fresh air outside by walking or gardening.

Relaxing tastes

Every time you pass food or drink into your mouth, you have an opportunity to relax. If you’re eating under stress and mindlessly, not only do you end up compounding your stress, but you can put on weight needlessly.

To begin working towards ending this cycle of stress-eating, try eating one meal a week in a mindful way, looking carefully at each morsel and fully tasting each bite.

Here are some things you can easily try during the day:

Chew a piece of gum and really notice the sensations.

Eat a small piece of fresh fruit.

Drink a cup of herbal tea.

Savour a piece of dark chocolate.

Suck on a mint.

Soothing touch

For many people, touching is a powerful way to get into a relaxed state. Try to find which method works for you. Some of these touch techniques don’t have to be used just when you’re stressed – they can also be used to deepen your feelings of relaxation. Then you’re better prepared when the next stressful event comes along.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Give yourself a self-massage (see earlier in this chapter).

Gently stroke your dog or cat.

Turn your attention to the sense of contact of your feet with the ground.

Have a little soft toy handy to touch.

Squeeze a tennis ball or a special stress ball.

Listening to chill out

If you generally like to use music to relax, use the sense of listening to explore further ways to relax. Have a look through these suggestions and see whether any of them appeal:

Use a singing bowl to generate a relaxing tone (also involves touch and movement). This is a metal bowl which makes a harmonious tone when resonated with a small wooden stick. It’s probably easiest to buy online or at a local mind, body and spirit festival perhaps.

Listen to some relaxing music.

Try having some little bells or wind chimes just outside that you can hear.

Go for a walk and listen to the sounds of nature – the wind against your face, the rustling of the leaves, and the birds singing in the trees.

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