Women’s Top 10 Relaxation Tips For the Summer and All Seasons

By Linda Penkala, Author, LMT

Making a living relaxing people as a massage therapist offers a unique perspective on the value and benefits of relaxation. Witnessing the gentle shift of a client after a massage, allows for the peaceful integration of body, mind, and spirit. It all begins with women making intentional choices to take time to pause and be still.

The opposite of this word is strain, tension, pressure, and stress, all of which may be the norm for many. Relaxation is key to embrace because all the above negative signs are reflected in the balance, health, and peace within one’s life, or not. What follows are positive, moments to pause, pay attention to stress levels, and have the confidence and clarity to move forward, to lessen the impact on heart health.

Breathe – countless techniques offer a space of calm and focus right where you are, all to make a shift. Box breathing, https://blog.calm.com/blog/box-breathing, also known as belly breathing, involves inhaling into the belly, then the lungs, and exhaling with pursed lips. Alternatively, techniques like 3-5-8, where you inhale for 3 seconds, hold for 5 seconds, and exhale for 8 seconds, are also simple options.
Butterfly Hug – a grounding, crossed-arm technique, gentle tapping on the shoulder or upper chest to soothe and pacify the central nervous system. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGGJrqscvtU.
Receive a Massage – ancient medicine for the body and mind to let go, be present, and lessen stress.
Allow Nature to Nurture – appreciate the green of trees and colorful flowers, and witness a breathtaking sunrise or sunset at a beach or a mountain.
EFT – Emotional Freedom Technique taps into the acupressure and brain integration points for a swift emotional shift to relaxation. www.thetappingsolution.com.
Take a Hot Epsom Salt Bath – sip on lavender/chamomile tea while letting go of tension courtesy of magnesium.
Relax in a Yin Yoga Class – stretching on the floor with breathwork and stillness.
Smile – encourages happy hormones and elevates the mood.
Laugh & Hang with Friends – feeling safe and happy with your gals enhances joy and connection, while lowering cortisol.
Prayer/Spirituality – pausing to pray enables an outward expression toward another, giving comfort, while acknowledging God’s grace and guidance.

Embracing many of these above suggestions has enhanced my health, and I condensed even more relaxation tips in my book, The Pause to Relax on Amazon. The link between women’s heart health and high levels of stress is profound but these proactive tips can balance that seesaw of life so there is stability!

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/heart-health-more-young-hearts-at-riskdr-niranjan-hiremath-explains-why-balance-is-the-new-lifesaver/articleshow/122154184.cms