Rest and Relax
TLDR - If you are constantly on the go, your body doesn’t have time to begin repair and healing processes. Taking time to rest and relax supports these functions.
Expanded
Our bodies have evolved to self repair, but these healing processes require a state of rest and relaxation. When we rest, our bodies can divert energy away from immediate survival tasks and toward repairing tissues, fighting off infections, and restoring hormonal balance. During deep sleep, the body completes biological processes that aid in tissue repair and muscle growth.
Always on The Go
When we are constantly moving and our minds are perpetually engaged, our bodies stay in a state of heightened alertness. This continuous state of activity prevents the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for rest and digestion, from taking the lead. Our bodies then remain in a state of chronic stress, leading to fatigue, weakened immune function, and a decrease in overall health.
Create a Healing Place
To encourage our bodies to heal, we must consciously create a safe and relaxed environment. This is as simple as setting aside regular times for relaxation and ensuring a peaceful, calming atmosphere. Your body has emotional memories of the environment around you. If you intentionally create a relaxing place, your body will remember to go to that relaxing state every time you enter it. This would be a great location for mediation and breathing exercises.
Do your best to build your healing space without the items listed in the “Danger Response” section. This isn’t always possible, so it’s important not to stress if things are not perfect. Stress will only make things more difficult and slow your healing.
Challenges of Relaxation
For many of us, constantly being on the go becomes an ingrained habit. When we finally try to slow down, we might find it challenging to truly relax. Our minds may race, and our bodies may feel restless. This is normal, and it takes practice to retrain our brains to embrace relaxation. Keep practicing, and it will eventually come. Everyone has their own technique, so don’t stress if something doesn’t work immediately. Make adjustments to find what works best for you.
Tips to Relax
Set a Schedule: Dedicate specific times each day to unwind. Your body has a circadian rhythm and learns to complete specific functions at specific times of the day. If you dedicate a specific time each day to relax then it will be easier each time as your body starts to remember and make a habit.
Avoid Artificial Light: Artificial light, specifically blue light, is stimulating, raising cortisol levels and making it more difficult to relax.
Avoid EMFs: EMFs are frequencies we receive but non visible. Our body is an antenna, constantly receiving information around us. If our body is overwhelmed with EMFs, then it will constantly be receiving information and make it difficult for us to relax.
Link to Body Antennas post
Avoid News and Social Media: The new and social media have intentionally evolved to be emotionally stimulating to capture your attention and stamp an emotional feeling to the information provided. This is only going to raise your cortisol and make it more difficult to relax.
Create A Relaxing Environment: Follow steps listed above