Learning to Relax!!!!!

I'm taking the day off today.  I'm sitting in Starbucks, listening to some mellow jazz music trying to wind down.  I just realize that I have not taken a day off in over a year and I don't know how to relax!!!!!  My mind is racing with all the things I need to do and could create.  I have a driven personality and I love being productive.  But I think what I am great at is starting to hinder me from relaxing!  Well.... as I sit here, I will share some thoughts of how to learn to relax!

Relax means to return to a "lax" state. Relaxing is a learned skill, that must done intentionally and regularly.  Here are some practical principles to start the process of RELAXING!!!!!!

Permission-our mind, from childhood, is conditioned to get permission to do anything. In school,  we have to raise our hands and get permission to answer a question, to be the leader of the line and to go to the restroom.  Now we are adults, we still subconsciously need permission to do things.  We need to develop "Self Permission".  Self Permission is giving yourself permission to do things that will keep you healthy and productive.  Say this: "I give myself permission today to relax".  You may have to say it three to four times to get it to stick!!!

Plan-Since I'm driven,  I can't just sit around and do nothing.  Seem like a paradox, but I have to be productive when I'm relaxing!!  Plan your relaxing day with activities that relaxes you.  I like to:

1. Eat lunch at a downtown resturant 

2. Hang out  at a coffee shop

3. Catch a movie

4. Dream

Program your mind- As I stated earlier, relaxing is a learned skill.  Relaxing does not come naturally.  You have to be intentional.  You program your mind with two principles: R&R (Resist & Rest).

You have to program your mind to resist guilt, obligations, distractions and negativity.  It's amazing, as soon as you start to relax, your mind overflows with all this stuff you need to do, should be doing and things you forgot to do.  You must decide to resist these thoughts and press into relaxing.  The next R is Rest.  Rest is consciously controlling your breathing.  You must take slow breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.

Take some time out of your busy, hectic day and develop these three components.  I have tried them and I am starting to relax!!!!  Until next time