Relaxing the mind

Spiritual wellbeing relates to our sense of life-meaning and purpose. It can include our connection to culture, community, spirituality and/or religiosity and includes the beliefs, values, mental models and ethics we hold.

Some research shows a connection between your beliefs and your sense of well being. Positive beliefs, comfort, and strength gained from religion, meditation, and prayer can contribute to well being. It may even promote healing. Improving your spiritual health may not cure an illness, but it may help you feel better.

1. Take slow, deep breaths. Or try other breathing exercises for relaxation.
2. Soak in a warm bath.
3. Listen to soothing music.
4. Practice mindful meditation. The goal of mindful meditation is to focus your attention on things that are happening right now in the present moment.
5. Write.
6. Use guided imagery.

40 Ways to Relax In 5 Minutes or Less

1. Food and Drink. Sip Green Tea.
2. Inner Peace. Meditate.
3. Total-Body Relaxation. Give Yourself a Hand Massage.
4. New Environment. Be Alone.
5. Exercise. Do Some Yoga.
6. Entertainment and Creativity. Write It Down.
7. Smells. Smell Some Flowers.
8. Socializing and Fun. Cuddle With a Pet.

It’s important to stay hydrated, and a warm drink such as a herbal tea can help you drift off into a deep sleep. Some of our favourites are [chamomile, peppermint and lavender]. Some foods are also great for helping your body relax at night, particularly those containing calcium, magnesium and tryptophan.

Stretching first thing in the morning can relieve any tension or pain from sleeping the night before. It also helps increase your blood flow and prepares your body for the day ahead. Stretching before bed relaxes your muscles and helps prevent you from waking up with more pain.

If you don’t sleep, your drowsiness will continue to get worse until you can finally get some rest. Sleeping for 1 to 2 hours can decrease sleep pressure and make you feel less tired in the morning than you otherwise would by staying up all night.

Feeling better after less sleep – including after getting less Deep or REM sleep – could be the result of your body trying to compensate for sleep deprivation. When you’re short on sleep, your body releases stress hormones the next day and evening. These hormones supply the sensation of alertness.

How to Get By on Four to Five Hours of Sleep

1. Force yourself to get up and exercise.
2. Follow exercise with a cold shower, which has been shown to increase mood, alertness, and energy.
3. Have a cup (or two) of coffee.
4. Get your most important work done in the morning.
5. Eat light, healthy meals and snacks.
6. Take a walk outside to break up the day.