Finding Tools for Relaxation

Although, I’ve already written articles about relaxation and recharging. It’s important to talk about tools for relaxation. It’s difficult for some of us to let go of what’s on our minds to meditate or breathe. Sometimes buying relaxation aids can be the first step in our relaxation journey. Here are some of the best tools for relaxation.

• A Coloring Book

Coloring can be very relaxing. It can often allow us to shut off our brain and think about something less taxing. For me, buying coloring books that are specifically for relaxation didn’t help me. I like coloring books geared towards topics I enjoy, my favorite is my Bob’s Burgers coloring book.

• A Prompted Journal

This is something to use if you’re not quite sure what to journal about. Some people find it difficult to write about their day or what ails them. Buying a prompted journal is helpful when starting out. It’s a good tool to build up your abilities. Soon you’ll be able to write on your own or find it easier to write in general.

• A Meditation Pillow

Meditating is great but it can often show us our aches and pains. When I do a mediation longer than twenty minutes, my back is screaming at me. The right positioning can make all the difference. Your meditation becomes more effective when you can focus. Buying a meditation pillow can help align your back. This allows you to focus on what matters, the meditation. 

• Essential Oil Diffuser

I’ve talked about this a lot but our senses can inform our emotions. Smells can help guide our brain to where we want it to be. Whether it be sleep, relaxation, energy, etc. essential oils are a great place to start. Depending on where you get your diffuser, it can be pretty cheap. A diffuser and a few starter oils can be under $30 at Target or on Amazon. If you want to trial essential oils, you could get roll on oils and test them on your skin to see if they help you. 

• Set Alarms

This is the easiest one, you can do this with what you already have at home. Set timers on your phone or clock to relax. Pull out whatever helps you relax for a few minutes and allow yourself time to step away from the day. I have two alarms set for this, one in the morning and one at night. That’s an addition to the morning and nightly meditation I do. Often, our day gets away from us and it’s difficult to remember to relax. This is a gentle reminder. 

• A Calendar

If you’re anything like me, going to five appointments a week can be taxing. I’m in several health systems and among other activites my schedule is quite busy most weeks. Having one calendar allows me to focus on finding days to relax. This might mean cancelling activities you wanted to attend. It’s a tough call but when I have a busy week, a busy weekend and a busy week ahead, I need a day off. Building those into your calendar can help you respect your time and energy. 

• A Fitness Plan

Even if you’re not into conventional fitness building a fitness plan can help you relax. This is all dependent on your personal abilities. It may be a walk or five minutes of exercise but build a plan for whatever you can do. I would consult a doctor if you’re having trouble with your heart before starting. When you intentionally fatigue your body with activity there are several benefits. You can sleep better, relax more often, and get a healthy dose of endorphins. This can improve your mood. 

Relaxation is not something that comes easy to most of us. Our society tells us to be going all the time and if we’re not, then we’re lazy. This isn’t true. Everyone needs a break and has to respect their body. When you’re battling chronic illness especially, listening to your body is vital. Burnout is something that’s brought up a lot lately and the reality of burnout is all to real. Building relaxation into your schedule is important to help you keep going. Everyone needs a break and you’re not weak for finding outlets to help you on your journey.