Why it is so Important to Relax

Let's be honest. We are living in stressful times. Over the past few months, life as we have known it has changed drastically. Many of us cannot leave our homes. When we do go out, it is usually to the grocery store which in itself is an overwhelmingly new experience. We have to wear masks and keep our distance from others. We avoid touching as many surfaces as possible. Then we must come home, wash our hands and disinfect the things we purchased. As a result of these changes, many of us are feeling extremely stressed out. It is challenging to relax, even in the comforts of our own home. After all, how can you when the news is full of frightening new events taking place every day?

Now more than ever, it is important that we make relaxation a normal part of our daily routine. This can be challenging for many of us, especially if we are used to being productive and accomplishing a variety of things during the day. In a way, the hectic lifestyles that we were used to had become our norm! We were used to getting up, checking emails, rushing out the door and staying busy until we came home for the night. Things have changed! Being in our house with limited access to people and things is almost more stressful than the chaotic days we were used to. But here's the deal. Stress affects our mental, physical and emotional wellbeing in many ways…most of which aren't good. When we can't relax, we are jeopardizing our health and happiness which is something many of us cannot afford to do.

When we struggle to relax, we begin to experience a variety of symptoms including headaches, overwhelming fatigue and tension in the shoulders and neck. We have trouble falling asleep at night and as a result, we spend our days feeling burnt-out, tired and angry. Not being able to relax can also impact our mental well-being. It can make it challenging to focus on daily tasks and stay balanced with our moods. People experiencing high levels of stress can become aggressive and defensive, avoiding communication with people who could potentially help them calm down. If you are having trouble relaxing, here are some tips to help restore your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

1. Cut back on caffeine - Many people joke about needing their daily cup of Joe in order to be productive. All jokes aside, caffeine can greatly impact the way we think act and feel. Research shows that too much caffeine can impact our body in negative ways, including impacting the function of our hormones, decrease in her sleep, and even increasing our chances of getting late. If you are having a hard time relaxing during the day, you might want to take a look at how much caffeine you were consuming. If you drink coffee, consider switching to tea. Drink more water as a way to keep your body hydrated. Stop drinking coffee around a certain time each day as a way to ensure it will not impact your sleep. Being mindful of your caffeine consumption can make all the difference between feeling stressed out and relaxed.
2. Focus on your quality of sleep - Doesn't it feel amazing when you sleep well at night? You wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day! When we have trouble sleeping, this can lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety. As a way to help your body obtain more restful and relaxing sleep, try including Superior Labs 100% Natural Melatonin Complex into your daily supplement routine. Superior Labs 100% Natural Melatonin Complex contains a potent dose of ingredients that have been shown to promote relaxation and restful sleep. Melatonin is a hormone that naturally occurs in the body, helping to send signals that it is time for us to relax and go to sleep. Try taking this supplement before bed as a way to help you get some good shuteye.
3. Get some GABA - GABA has been shown to have a calming effect on our bodies. This helps relieve those unhealthy feelings of stress, anxiety and even fear. In fact, one study found that eating chocolate that contained 28 mg of GABA reduced stress in the people involved in the research. (link to https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09637480802558508) Another study show that capsules with 100 mg helped to reduce stress in people completing mental tasks. (link to https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jnsv/57/1/57_1_9/_article)
4. Make meditation a priority - There has been much research done on meditation and it's beneficial effects on the body. One study has shown that meditating can actually impact our brain in positive ways, helping us feel relaxed, more productive and focused. Meditation also promotes emotional wellness because it allows us to calm down, be mindful and grounded in the present moment. If you are having a hard time relaxing during the day, make meditation a priority. Spend 15 minutes sitting in silence in a place where you will be undisturbed. Turn on relaxing music and focus on tuning out the world. Allow your body to relax and let go of the tension it has been holding on to. This simple relaxation practice can help to give you much needed a sense of relaxation and rejuvenation, especially during these difficult times.