The Encyclopedia of Positive Psychology details a very important clue to a healthy rhythm of our lives. It lies in the human heart; relaxation.
“The human heart,” it reads, “knows relaxation. If our heads followed the heart muscle’s pattern of total contraction followed by total relaxation, there might be fewer stress-related health problems… Individuals who aspire to a balanced and healthy life build daily physical relaxation into their schedules. It is not an option. It is a necessity, habit, and pleasure that is greatly missed when it does not happen.”¹
The Encyclopedia of Positive Psychology. Shane J. Lopez See source below.
Ask yourself, do I have relaxation built into my day? This will take different forms for different people. It will even take different forms on different days for you. The key is choosing something that you know is deeply good for you. You might feel like cardiovascular activity to increase neurotransmitters linked to mood. Or you might feel like a gentle walk to synchronise yourself with the seasons… witness changing weather along familiar routes. It might be the perfect day to curl up with a comfy blanket and a good book. Or today could be the day where you cook for hours with music on in the kitchen.
Design your day to have a physical relaxation time, just like your heart does.
Look to your own heart for its pattern. It works and it lets go. It tenses then it rests. Blending relaxation into your weeks, month after month, year after year, will add up. This balance will actually keep you healthier and stave off depression and anxiety over time. The author Annie Dillard wrote, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” So find some joy today. Repeat tomorrow, and watch that balance seep into your months and years. Get ready to look back on a life well spent.
External Links
- Relaxation techniques for anxiety and stress , Positive Psychology
- Self Control, 1984, Encyclopedia of Psychology Volume 1
- ¹ The Encyclopedia of Positive Psychology: Excerpt
Internal Links
- If you would like to see more on psychology, meditation, and introspection see our Psychology, Introspection and Journal sections!
