More Ways to Relax

          One of my favorite ways to connect to a greater sense of gratitude is through relaxation.  It just eases the stress and opens the heart, helping us to be more aware of all the treasures that surround us.  So, from time to time I will dedicate a few posts to relaxation techniques.  You will recall that I did 3 relaxation posts during the week of 8/1/2011 through 8/5/2011.  But there are lots of other ways to "chill", so today I'm going to share my 10 All Time Favorite Ways to Relax.  There's more to it than just a list, however.  In fact, the list will become the relaxation exercise.  How?  You'll see!

My 10 All Time Favorite Ways to Relax  

1.  Sailing on Long Island Sound
2.  Walking in the woods
3.  Listening to summer night sounds as I drift off to sleep

4.  Listening to the sound of gentle rain  with thunder in the distance

5.  Sitting quietly with a cup of hot chocolate while watching snow fall

6.  Taking a hot bath with lavender oil and epsom salts

7.  Walking on the beach
8.  Listening to the roar of a cascading waterfall
9.  The sound of birds singing at dawn on a spring morning
10. A professional massage 

         Unfortunately, it isn't spring every day, I can no longer go sailing on Long Island Sound, it doesn't always rain on cue, and I can't often afford a professional massage.  What to do?  According to an article on Mempowered (http://www.memory-key.com/memory/emotion), positive memories contain many contextual details.  Interesting!  I can choose any one of my top 10 favorites and simply remember it.  Memory can be a very powerful thing, and positive memories are best of all!  So, for this exercise,the relaxation will actually be found within the memory.  As I remember, I relax, and silently think of exactly how I felt at the time I experienced that activity--what I heard, saw, smelled, felt, etc.  I savor every detail of that event, and I simply live in that space mentally for 10 or 15 minutes.   Or, I choose 2 or 3 of my "favorites"  and relax with them for a few minutes each, going from one wonderful experience to the other.  I don't allow my mind to drift into "If onlys"  as in "If only I could go there again," or "if only so-and -so was here again to share that experience", etc.  This is a time for peace.  I allow my memory to take me through my experience.  I simply enjoy it--every gratifying, sensory, wonderful minute of it! 
         Relaxing into a pleasant memory can produce the feeling that we have been transported through time and space to actually experience that very special event all over again. This technique can induce a deep sense of peace and happiness, and help us to move on to the tasks of the day feeling refreshed and uplifted. 

         Now that you've seen my Top 10 Favorite Ways to Relax, consider composing your own list.  When you can't physically engage in the way you might most want to relax, you can still relish its details.  Use your memory of it to help bring about your own deep sense of refreshment.  Labor Day, after all, is about appreciating how hard we all work for our living, relaxing from those labors, and taking a break from the every day demands.  So, have a picnic or bar-b-que, go boating, take a hike, or just spend a little time enjoying some quiet.


TODAY'S GENTLE ENCOURAGEMENT:  DO SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY:  RELAX! 

        



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