stress

22 Ways to Practice the Art of Relaxation

by Tammy Strobel on May 4, 2010

“Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” – Lao Tzu

In our hurried world it’s easy to feel like you “should” be on the go constantly. Getting caught up in day to day activities and neglecting ourselves seems to be a common occurrence. Rather than relaxing you might be staying late at the office to finish a report, sending emails, or connecting with friends on various social networks.

For instance, practicing walking meditation and yoga have helped me relax and slow down. But, I still get caught up in the idea that I “should” be doing something. Yesterday, I decided to follow Leo’s advice and do less. By embracing the idea of doing less, I accomplished more and took a tiny nap too!

So let go of the need to constantly be doing something. Learn to relax and embrace “laziness.” I’m not arguing you should turn into a sloth; however I think it’s perfectly okay to take time out of your normal routine and take care of yourself. By taking time out to recharge you’ll be more productive and creative.

The art of realization is about cultivating focus and giving yourself time to think. And to really take notice of your hopes, fears, and dreams.

Here are some tips to get you started. [click to continue…]