Take A Vacation To Learn How To Unwind

Often, because we live in a world where being busy and stressed has become normal, we only really get to relax when we go on holiday.

But because the lead-up to going away is usually busier than our average week as we tie up loose ends and make sure everything will be ok while we’re away, when we finally get to be on vacation somewhere, it takes us a few days to be able to start to relax and enjoy our well-earned break. It’s actually quite common to come down with a cold or virus when you finally get to have a break; it’s as if your body has been holding itself together until the point that it’s ok for you to relax.

How great it would be to be able to switch off from stress more easily and without having to book a holiday to achieve that sense of calm that we all crave.

Try mindfulness

For anyone who feels that they are living under constant stress and pressure, with a continual sense of being overwhelmed, mindfulness is a great life skill to learn. Mindfulness is all about living in the present moment, without focusing on the things in life that cause you stress. Being mindful allows you the time and space within your mind to regain a sense of balance, reflect and recharge your batteries.

It sounds like something most of us would love to achieve, and the great thing is that it’s open to us all. You don’t need to be special to develop mindfulness – anyone can do it. What you do need though, is to train yourself to be mindful. It’s a skill that takes time and practice to develop.

Another way to think of mindfulness is to view it as a form of meditation where you bring all your attention to the current moment. Being mindful is about being aware. You can practice mindfulness through deep breathing, through an exercise such as yoga or even through the way you eat. You don’t need a special place to be mindful. You can practise on the bus, in your living room or in the local park.

However, when you’re just beginning the process, a calm and quiet room at home is a good place to start developing mindfulness. Many people find creating a peaceful ambience helps them to focus – by turning off any electronics and burning an essential oil such as frankincense. Frankincense has long been recognised as a calming essential oil that helps ease tension and stress as it encourages a person to slow down and regulate their breathing. That’s why it’s so appropriate for a meditation setting.

“ssoosay’s Simple Iphone Lock Screen Mind” (CC BY 2.0) by  ssoosay 

CAPTION: Whatever you’re doing, you can do it in a mindful manner

Once you have your ambient background set up, simply sit with your eyes closed and put all your focus on the journey of your breath, in and out of your body, so that your mind can become empty of other thoughts. When your mind wanders (and it will), bring your focus back to your breathing. The idea is that by emptying your mind and finding a state of peace, you can observe how you think and feel more clearly, which gives you a better sense of perspective on the different factors that cause you stress.

You can practise mindfulness wherever you are, but if you’re new to the concept, it can be difficult to ‘get into’. You may get frustrated by the fact that your thoughts and worries disturb your attempts at being mindful. Mindfulness practitioners suggest that we acknowledge any thoughts that pop up, but then dismiss them and return our focus to the moment that we are in; by bringing our focus back to our breath and the other sensations around us. But for a person who’s new to mindfulness this can be hard to achieve alone.

Make your vacation a mindful one