As the holidays start to wind down and a new year appears on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to put *rest and relaxation* back on the agenda. This year has brought challenges, but new safety and health restrictions don’t have to mean limiting necessary leisure time. A new year usually means creating and focusing on new goals, but new goals require a full charge. The perfect way to refill yourself is by doing things that boost emotional health. Here are three, free exercises that improve emotional well-being and are great for social distancing!
Meditation
Meditation brings us back to the present moment. Taking a few moments to focus on breathing and clearing your mind is a quick and effective way to treat yourself kindly this season. Start by focusing on counting your breaths, or noticing your thoughts. The goal is to be in the current moment. There are several free apps to help track your time, provide music and soothing sounds, and keep your thoughts focused. Mindful.org has a great how-to with easy directions to get you started.
We created this video that’s perfect for mediation session, any time.
Stroll
This year, many people are spending more time at home than in previous years. This means more sitting. Even with the increased amount of time spent indoors, getting your daily dose of sunshine is still as important as ever. Taking a walk or jog around the block or in a local park is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air, and still socially distance. This is also the perfect activity to enjoy together with your immediate family. Beyond the obvious pros of exercise, there are plenty of benefits to walking, including these.
Drawing
Drawing or coloring is such a soothing exercise, and the recent rise in the sales of coloring books for adults proves it’s fun for all ages. Even if your art is not museum-quality (and that’s subjective), coloring brings focus and relaxation. There are free coloring pages that can be printed off a website, or you can simply draw whatever your heart desires. The idea is not to create the next Picasso painting, but to freely express whatever you’re feeling in a safe, colorful way. Boost your mood and lower your stress levels, as you put color to paper.
Resting is important all the time, but especially as this year comes to a close. There have been worldwide changes and each and every one of us has faced more than their fair share of challenges. Take some time to rest and relax, as you plan for the new year.
Remember, treating yourself kindly is just as important as how you treat others. Our team has been sharing moments of kindness on our social media platforms. These funny and heartwarming stories are examples of how important kindness to ourselves and to others is. Take a few moments to check out those videos here and remember to be kind.
