The very concept of a Relaxation Day existing puts a smile on my face whether I am at work or home. Did you know that this earmarked day was initiated by a very active 9-year-old boy, Sean Moeller from the small city of Clio in Michigan, U.S in 1985? Upon being interviewed he had replied: “I was sort of tired and real hot, so I decided people should have a day to relax.”
For those career-oriented types, Sean suggests: “Lie out on a hammock, take a sunbath, take a nap, watch television, play a game . . . just relax. You can do whatever you want.” Let us relax and take it easy on 15th August for this day commemorates not only the Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan but also the National Relaxation Day.
Today we find life stressful with constant obligations surrounding our family, regular duties at workplace as well as social obligations. So, let us try to relax by reading a novel or watching a movie.
How can we Relax #NationalRelaxationDay
Sometimes we can unwind by listening to the voice of cuckoo in the morning. In fact, we should make nature our teacher. Nature rehabilitates us in many ways.
Of course, we can also laze over our afternoon coffee by allowing our mind to be mesmerized by the sunshine. As we synchronize ourselves with the light and weather, we can gradually unwind ourselves by listening to our favorite music.
A more laid-back activity like yoga or meditation can hugely boost our spiritual growth.
Scientific Ways to Relax #Chill Out
- Eating A Banana
One banana can provide nearly 10% of our daily fiber requirement. Vitamin B6 can helps protect against Type-2 diabetes and aid in weight loss. They also contain tryptophan, a type of protein known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
- Chewing Gum
A health study found that chewing gum for 2 weeks can improve levels of anxiety and mood. Chewing reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol found in saliva. Slow chewing is more preferable so go get your preferred flavor of chewing gum.
- Relax your muscles
The human body has over 600 muscles constantly pumping blood and performing various functions. In one single, simple move like lifting something up we use 40-60% of maximum muscle fibers. Muscles are made of two types of filaments, Actin and Myosin and like all proteins, they are made of amino acids linked together. Slowly stretching your body and then relaxing on the bed will give you a gentle restoring feeling.
- Laugh! Laugh! Laugh it out!
Laughter releases endorphins, the brain’s “feel-good” chemicals. Watch your favorite comedy or watch some funny videos online because it will definitely make u “feel-good”.
Rest is not idleness. We need a break sometimes to get back on the track of everyday duties and tasks. One of the prerequisites of life is that we must free ourselves from social and emotional burdens. Only then will we progress towards “a sound mind in a sound body.” “Stress” is the recurrent global cancer common with every age-group and hence it is necessary to balance our life with calendar days like these so that we can relax and not feel guilty about it.
We can hangout through the day in our gardens or gossip on the verandah. A sojourn through the countryside may also help us to unwind our mental corridors. As we meander on the country roads of Siliguri we are inclined to chime with Wordsworth:
“I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills
When all at once I saw a crowd
A host of golden daffodils.”
Need A Relaxational Activity #LoosenLessenLighten
- Read a book
- Engage in fun activities with a friend
- A picnic
- Take a trip to the hills or the forest
- Taking a short-drive
- Photography
- A movie
- Shopping
- Watching sports
- Swimming
Contributed by:
Subhrajit Samanta
