Relaxation, is it an afterthought for you? You aren’t alone.

Busy lifestyles often get in the way of relaxation. And while plopping down in front of the television and watching Netflix until we fall asleep sounds like relaxation, it doesn’t provide our body with the total relief we really need.

The trouble is, it is difficult to decide on stress relief activities that give our body the relief it needs. With the holiday season upon us, relaxation is even more important.

There are countless ways to achieve relaxation, and I will be listing my favorite total body relaxation tips below.

But what if you are not sure it is worth your time investment? I’ve touched on that too! Explore a few of the benefits of relaxation for mental health as well as physical health.

How to Fully Relax

Relaxing completely is an essential part of taking care of our health. There are several ways to relax your body. If you prefer something structured, then you might try an exercise like Yoga. Yoga is designed to incorporate breathing with focused body movements. This process focuses the mind. The structured movements tense muscles and then relaxes them. If you are looking for total body relaxation, this is one of the best relaxation techniques.

Meditation is another way to relax. If you have trouble focusing or deal with racing thoughts, I highly recommend starting a regular meditation schedule. Even meditating for as little as 5 minutes per day can expose you to deep relaxation.

Sleep is equally important in body relaxation. It is nature’s relaxation technique. However, many Americans suffer from insomnia and other sleep disorders. That’s part of the reason that exercise, meditation, and relaxation techniques like Yoga are so important during your waking hours. Pro tips for getting a good night’s rest include limiting screen time up to two hours before bed, avoiding caffeine after 3 pm, and reducing noise and light where possible.

If you can apply these total body relaxation tips, you can start to experience mental relaxation on a daily basis. But what if you need some motivation? Well, maybe you just need to know what a few of the benefits of relaxation are?

5 Benefits of Total Body Relaxation

Decreased Blood Pressure

Relaxation triggers the parasympathetic response. This reduces blood pressure and relaxes the mind.

Chronic Pain Reduction

Relaxation also reduces chronic pain and muscle tension, which are often linked.

Reduces Health Conditions

The more you practice relaxation, you can see an improvement in conditions such as heartburn, ulcers, insomnia, and diabetes.

Mental Health Improvements

Relaxation promotes better health and sleep. This enables us to manage our emotions which enables us to reduce anger, anxiety, and depression. Individuals experiencing anxiety attacks can also improve their condition with regular relaxation.

Increased Energy

An unexpected benefit of body relaxation is a boost in energy. Relaxation allows the important aspects of our brain to shut off, so we can tune in to what’s important. This, in turn, increases energy outside of relaxation.

Experience the Benefits of Relaxation

When you start to practice total body relaxation you can begin to experience the benefits of relaxation. However, perhaps the best relaxation technique is massage. By giving your muscles over to a professional, you can learn to let go of that tension.

As a lymphatic massage therapist, I help clients truly relax. If you live in the Seattle area and would like to book an appointment, please do so, via my contact page. And if it is your first lymphatic massage, be sure to read through my post about How to Prepare for Your First Lymphatic Massage.

Stay healthy and happy with active body relaxation.