Relaxation is a must-have for a healthy life. As easy as it is to tell ourselves we need to keep pushing ourselves to work harder and get more done, the reality is we can only survive so long without some self-care. Failure to regularly relax can lead to problems far worse than simple burnout. You could find you have a higher chance of struggling with various ailments, and even end up feeling depressed, anxious, or generally unhappy.
If, like many people today, you’re looking for ways to integrate more chill sessions into your routine, you’re in the right place. A chill session can be as long or as short as you need it to be. Some people with particularly packed schedules might start with just ten minutes of relaxation per day, while others can try working up to half an hour or an hour of relaxation. Once you’ve found the right time for your chill session, here are some ways to make it more effective.
1. Create an Atmosphere
You don’t need to light candles and lay rose petals on your bed every time you’re doing a fifteen-minute meditation session, but it’s worth investing in a relaxing atmosphere where you can. Consider turning the lights down in your relaxing bath before bed, so the bright illumination doesn’t keep you awake. It is common knowledge that your bed can affect your sleep but what about the other elements in the room? You can also look at creating relaxing atmospheres with aromatherapy and scents. Many people find smells like lavender and valerian to be wonderfully relaxing, particularly when they’re dealing with periods of stress. Feel free to experiment with your favorite scents.
2. Get the Music Right
Few things improve a relaxation session quite like the right music. Sounds have a direct impact on our emotions and how good we feel. This is why most mediation apps come with sounds to help you relax, and why a range of therapists use music in their work. Make a list of songs you consider to be relaxing and play them whenever you need an extra boost in your session. You can also consider looking for relaxing tunes online. There are plenty of great options out there without lyrics if you’re looking for something that’s easy to listen to, and that won’t leave an annoying chorus in your mind.
3. Add More Nature to the Moment
Scientists say that time spent with nature is a powerful way to improve your mental health. If you’re struggling with high stress levels, getting more of the outside world into your routine can make a huge difference to your feelings of wellbeing. In an ideal world, we should all be spending more time outside among the trees and flowers. If you can’t find a natural place to visit from time to time near you, then you can consider taking different approaches. For instance, you might bring more plant life into your home to help improve the atmosphere, or add some pictures of natural scenery to your home in the form of paintings and photographs.
4. Use a Vaporizer
If you’re a fan of using dried herbs for relaxation, you might find that buying and using the right vaporizer will make a huge difference to your chill sessions. The right vaporizer will give you a clean experience, free from unnecessary extras that leave you coughing, spluttering and not really feeling your best. The key to success is knowing what kind of product to buy. You can find a collection of portable vaporizers online to purchase by going here, and check out some of the options that might be suitable for you. Remember to consider the features that matter most to you carefully before you start spending any cash. You can always check out reviews and guides if you’re not totally sure where to get started.
5. Practice Your Breathing
Many doctors and mental health professionals recommend using breathing exercises whenever you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed. If you want to discover the benefits of better breathing for yourself, then practicing common breathing strategies can be a good way to do that. You can start with something simple, like inhaling to the count of three, and exhaling to the count of four. If you want to try meditation with breathing exercises, there are a host of articles and videos online to guide you through some of the basics. Some companies even offer apps for your smartphone with guided sessions, so you can walk through the breathing process step by step.
6. Find Excuses to Laugh
A smile or laughter can make a huge difference to your chill sessions. Relaxing isn’t just about getting off your feet for a while and surrounding yourself with things that make you feel good. Laughter and good feelings can also be a wonderful way to release endorphins and make you feel more physically, emotionally, and spiritually durable. If you haven’t had an excuse to really laugh for a while, find something to make you giggle. This might mean listening to a funny podcast or watching a hilarious video. For a lot of people, the best strategy is to call a friend or family member who always makes them smile.
7. Make Yourself Comfortable
Finally, when upgrading your chill sessions, look at how you can improve your comfort levels. The more comfortable you are, the happier you’re going to be. You don’t need to worry about how silly you look wrapped in your favorite blanket, or how your hair looks when you’re having a chill session – just find a way to let all the stress of life melt away. If you’re feeling particularly indulgent, you can also invest in other ways to make yourself comfortable from time to time, like buying a great pair of fluffy socks or a new face mask so you can revitalize your skin during your relaxation session.
Make the Most of Your Chill Sessions
These days, more people are beginning to discover that self-care and relaxation aren’t indulgent activities – they’re a necessary part of staying fit and healthy. Investing in a high-quality chill session will give you the emotional and physical strength you need to handle any challenge life brings your way.
