Apr 11 4 Simple Ways To Escape And Unwind
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You’re probably reading this on a cell phone or laptop. And you’ll probably only spend a couple of minutes reading it (at most) because so many other distractions are competing for your attention – apps, websites, notifications, colleagues, children. Add to these distractions the daily anxieties involved with relationships, jobs, families, health and other worries many of us face and finding just a couple of minutes of peace and quiet in this busy, crowded world is becoming more and more difficult.
It doesn’t have to be this way! Escaping for just a couple of minutes every day is essential to our mental health and well-being. If you’re constantly on the go but are in search of a few ways to unwind and treat yourself, consider the following tips.
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Meditation and Focus on Breathing
Meditation is the practice of training the mind to induce a certain state of consciousness. While there are many different types of meditation across a wide variety of cultures, there’s a simple reason why millions of people have meditated for thousands of years: it works. Although it may seem deceptively simple, the act of sitting with one’s eyes closed and focusing on your breathing can help you slow down and really relax while centering your thoughts. If you only have a couple of minutes in your day, consider meditating to unwind.
Woman doing meditation near the ocean beach. Yoga silhouette.
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Take a Hot Bath
Is there anything more indulgent, luxurious – and at the same time, affordable – than taking a bath? Regardless of your income, all you need is hot water and your favorite scents to feel like pampered royalty. Some of our all-time favorite body washes are the new Softsoap Luminous Oils: Avocado Oil & Iris and Macadamia Oil & Peony – found at Walgreens. Both fragrances temporarily transport us to a magical world where stress, taxes and carbohydrates cease to exist – bliss! Taking a bath with Softsoap Luminous Oils is like having a professional day spa in our bathroom. If you’re looking for a luxurious, easy and inexpensive way to relax, you can’t do better than taking a bath.
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Explore Your Creative Side
Adults often underestimate the power that creativity has in our lives. We leave drawing to children, and writing to professional writers. In the last few years, however, there’s been an explosion of “coloring books for adults”, as thousands of adults across the world have discovered that turning off our devices and delving into a coloring book can have a tremendously positive impact on our mood. One of our favorite coloring books for adults is Johanna Basford’s Secret Garden available at Amazon. Why stop at coloring and drawing? For decades, therapists have encouraged journal writing as a way to collect our thoughts and emotions. Doing something creative will have a huge benefit to your mental health.
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Get Back to Nature
It sounds stupidly simple, doesn’t it? “Get back to nature”. Nevertheless, more and more studies show that getting outside – even if it’s simply a short walk through the park – can boost our creativity, lower our stress, improve our health and cultivate better relationships. Steve Jobs, the late founder of Apple, Inc, went on short walks through the park when he was faced with a difficult decision or stressed out. Getting back to nature reconnects us with where we came from, and reminds us that there’s a world out there that’s much bigger than our worries. Need to escape and unwind? Consider going on a short walk or bike ride through the woods or a park.
Young couple hiking on the mountain
These are just a few ways to escape and unwind. If you are feeling overwhelmed by everything that life is throwing at you, take a deep breath and meditate for a few minutes, take a fragrant bath with Softsoap Luminous Oils, get creative, or go outside and reconnect with nature. You’re sure to feel better!