When we’re running on empty, it’s easy to let our problems and challenges overwhelm us. But there are ways to deal with the issue of feeling overwhelmed that will have a positive impact in a range of areas of your life. It starts with understanding why it is important we take time to unwind.
We need to unwind to release tension in our bodies and minds, important for our mental and physical health. Unwinding not only makes us feel better, but it can positively impact our social relationships.
We live in a fast-paced world. There is always something to do, and it seems like there is never enough time to do it.
But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to unwind. Here are five reasons why you should make the time.
It’s Good for Your Health
It’s no secret that stress can be bad for your health. But if you are constantly worried about things, it will affect your physical and mental health.
Stress occurs for different reasons. Some people may feel stressed by being busy at work, others by having too many things to do at home.
Stress has many negative health consequences, including an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. It’s important to take some time out from day-to-day life to relax and unwind.
When you take time to relax, you can get a break from all the stress. And when you feel relaxed, you are more likely to make positive decisions.
This is why it’s so essential to relax every day. If you are having trouble relaxing, find a place where you can be alone. Get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life for at least fifteen minutes.
You Will Feel Better
If you are stressed, it can really affect how you feel. You may feel tired, anxious, and even depressed. And while these feelings can last for a short amount of time, they can still have a major impact on your life.
If you are able to unwind, you will feel better. And you will be more productive when you return to work.
Doing an activity that engages us helps shift our focus away from the pressures that build up during the day, allowing a mental break. Take some time today to relax. If you are feeling stressed out, try some of these stress-relieving activities:
Take a walk. Just 10-15 minutes of walking can help you calm down.
Play with your pet. Animals can provide comfort for us. They also help us unwind.
Meditate. This can help you focus on the present moment. Do some deep breathing exercises.
You can do these activities on your own, or use them to spend time with family.
It’s Good for Your Relationships
We’ve all been in situations where stress has negatively impacted a relationship. When you are stressed, it can cause problems for your partner, your children, your friends or your work colleagues.
I once snapped at a workmate after receiving some stressful personal news. It was out of character and I later recognised what had happened and why it had happened. Make sure to mend those bridges, to offer an apology and some sort of explanation for the incident.
Poor relationships can have negative effects, increasing your levels of stress and draining your energy levels.When you take time to unwind, you feel happier, more confident and will be able to relax and enjoy your time in social situations, avoiding issues such as the one I experienced.
And you will be able to spend time with your family, without worrying about the day-to-day stress that you face.
It Helps You Focus
When you are stressed, it can be hard to focus on the things that you need to do, your mind will jump from one task to another, potentially adding more stress as you never manage to tick items off your to-do list.
If you are not able to focus on the tasks at hand, it will be difficult for you to accomplish them.
But when you are able to relax, you will be able to focus on what you need to do. And you will be able to get the most out of your time. A relaxed mind allows us to focus our thoughts and solve problems more efficiently. It’s not just about getting rid of stress; it’s about reducing the amount of stress we experience moving forwards.
It Can Help You Sleep Better
If you are stressed, you may find yourself sleeping less than you should. And when you are not getting enough sleep, your quality of life lowers, leading to more worry, leading to having a hard time falling asleep.
When you unwind, you will be able to relax and enjoy your time. And you will be able to get a good night’s rest.
What are some effective ways to unwind after a holiday like Thanksgiving?
After the holiday chaos, try these tips for post-Thanksgiving relaxation. Take a long walk to clear your mind and get some fresh air. Indulge in a calming yoga session to stretch out any tension. Treat yourself to a soothing bath with essential oils. Unwind with a good book or movie.
How to Unwind
The good news is that there are lots of ways to unwind and they can often be done throughout the day, helping you reduce your levels of stress.
Listen to Music
Music has always been one of the best ways to unwind. It can remind us of happier times, it gives the mind something else to focus on and it’s a great motivator should you be exercising.
Read a Book
Reading a book is also a great way to unwind. Reading a book can take a long time and thus allows your mind to focus on something different to the stress of the day. It literally takes your mind off a problem.
Reading before going to sleep can be a great way to prepare yourself for a restful night. If doing this, make sure you use a traditional paper book or e-reader with eInk display (for example a Kindle) rather than a tablet or mobile phone.
Workout
If you don’t have a lot of free time, why not work out? If you’re looking for a way to unwind, working out is a great choice. It can help you focus, it can make you feel good, and it can even help you sleep better.
A workout could be a run, Pilates class, swimming or a trip to your gym. Like reading a book, focusing on working out shifts your minds focus away from any issues you might be worried about, giving you a much-needed mental break.
Take a Walk
Get away from the workplace, get some fresh air, and take a walk. A 10 to 20-minute brisk walk not only helps you clear your head, it is also physically beneficial, especially for those in sedentary jobs.
Rather than sticking to the usual routes, go explore your local area, go down roads you’ve no usual reason to travel down and see what you find.
Learn Something New
Learning something new is a great way to unwind. It can help you focus, it can make you feel happy, and it can even help you sleep better. So if you want to unwind, why not learn something new?
You could do this by getting a book on a new hobby or via an online course. Check out our partners, www.thecoursenetwork.com, who have a range of online courses you can take online.
Why do we need to unwind? In conclusion, when we feel overwhelmed by all the tasks we have to accomplish in the day, it’s really hard to relax and unwind. But, taking a break once in a while is good for our health and makes us happier, more productive, and better at what we do.
