Do You Know How To Really Relax?

This is a contributed post.

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Life can be pretty stressful and, if you're not careful, that stress can creep into lots of different parts of your life. Many of us don't realize it but we carry our stress around with us even when we're not actually doing anything stressful. A hard day at work can end up coming home with us, causing tension and arguments with our friends and family. Not only that but it can have genuine negative effects on your health. Stress and tension have been linked to hair loss, IBS and bad posture to name but a few. So what can you do? Well, the best possible thing is to actually take some time to try and rid yourself of all of that stress. That's actually not as easy as it sounds, the problem with stress is that it likes to get in the way. When you're trying to relax, it likes to pop up and remind of all the things you still have to do at work and at home. But don't worry, there are things that you can do. Here are a few simple ways to help you relax and shake of the day's stress.

Empty the house

Spending time with your family and loved ones is incredibly important and can do a lot to help you deal with stress. But sometimes you just need time on your own. There's nothing wrong with kicking your partner or housemates out of the house for a while. If you have children, get your partner or a grandparent to take them out for a while. Get the house to yourself and just enjoy the peace and quiet, even if it's just for a while.

Have a long soak

When people say you carry stress around with you, they really mean it. Your muscles become incredibly tense and knotted when you're dealing with a lot of stress. Taking a long soak in the bath can do wonders for loosening your muscles. You should also get some essential oils to breathe in while you relax. Aromatherapy has been shown to help relax your body and your mind, helping you forget the stress of daily life just that little bit more easily.

Do what you want

There really isn't a single perfect way to relax. The point is to find what it is that relaxes and recharges you. Don't let anyone else tell you what you should or should not be doing. If watching TV or reading a book help you relax, that's great. But if you prefer working out or going for a long walk, that's just fine too! No matter what it is that you're doing, make sure you're doing it for yourself, not because you think you should be doing it. If you do something because you think you should, it's just going to become another source of stress. Remember, this is your time, spend it however you want.