{"id":5492,"date":"2013-08-15T07:53:43","date_gmt":"2013-08-15T11:53:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/blissblog\/?p=5492"},"modified":"2013-08-15T07:53:43","modified_gmt":"2013-08-15T11:53:43","slug":"national-relaxation-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/blissblog\/2013\/08\/national-relaxation-day.html","title":{"rendered":"National Relaxation Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Imagine an entire day set aside for the purpose of……doing nuthin’. You wake up and smile, noticing the sun beaming in through your window, with a blank agenda, an empty schedule, nowhere to go; an invitation, instead to be ‘now here’. Is that possible? For me, it would be a delight and a dilemma, since I have become so accustomed to busy-buzzy doing, rather than simply being. Perhaps it is that way for you too.\u00a0 My days generally consist of writing, counseling, cleaning, laundry, teaching, speaking, gym time and interludes with friends and family. I am able to snag brief moments of sitting, staring into space, daydreaming. Even while driving, my mind is plotting out my next adventure or activity, be it work or play related.
\nEnter National Relaxation Day, August 15th that was created in England and made its way across the pond to the USA. Today, you are invited to consider what it is that makes you sigh, what turns stiff muscles into mush, what gives you a reprieve from toil and what replenishes the stores. We are all aware of the ramifications of stress on the body, mind and spirit in the form of dis-ease and in some cases, death.\u00a0 In Japan, there is actually a word for it: Karoshi<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0 which is translated as ‘death by overwork’. Young, otherwise healthy workers, suddenly have been known to have heart attacks or strokes. It has become more than a trauma for the families, but impacts on the nation as a whole.<\/p>\n

The benefits of relaxation include:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Lowered blood pressure and heart rate<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Improved mood<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Enhanced relationships<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Safer driving practices<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Longevity<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Decrease in depression and anxiety rates<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Raised self esteem<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So, what are some of your favorite ahhhh-activities?<\/p>\n

Mine include:<\/p>\n

Lying on a blanket in a park.<\/p>\n

Meditation<\/p>\n

Massage<\/p>\n

Listening to music<\/p>\n

Writing<\/p>\n

Reading<\/p>\n

Hot tub soaking<\/p>\n

Walking in nature<\/p>\n

Going to the gym<\/p>\n

Spending time with kindred spirits<\/p>\n

Being with children<\/p>\n

Blowing bubbles<\/p>\n

Dancing<\/p>\n

Drumming<\/p>\n

Aromatherapy (lavender is my favorite scent)<\/p>\n

Even if just for today, write yourself a permission slip to play, breathe, take even a few minutes to simply BE~<\/p>\n

http:\/\/youtu.be\/3Lw5m1YbISo<\/a>\u00a0 The Heart Codes 1 by Barry Goldstein<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Imagine an entire day set aside for the purpose of……doing nuthin’. You wake up and smile, noticing the sun beaming in through your window, with a blank agenda, an empty schedule, nowhere to go; an invitation, instead to be ‘now here’. Is that possible? For me, it would be a delight and a dilemma,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":233,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,2,13,19,22,1176,14,4,47,5,16],"tags":[1046,3317,3319,3318],"class_list":["post-5492","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-attracting-what-you-desire","category-bliss","category-blissfull-thinking","category-empowerment","category-healing","category-holidays","category-how-to-invite-bliss","category-inspiration","category-massage","category-meditation","category-my-personal-bliss","tag-barry-goldstein","tag-national-relaxation-day","tag-relaxation","tag-the-heart-codes-1"],"yoast_head":"\nNational Relaxation Day - The Bliss Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/blissblog\/2013\/08\/national-relaxation-day.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"National Relaxation Day - The Bliss Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"  Imagine an entire day set aside for the purpose of……doing nuthin’. 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She has also contributed to several anthologies and personal growth books. Edie has interviewed such notables as Ram Dass, Wayne Dyer, Debbie Ford, don Miguel Ruiz, don Miguel Ruiz, Jr. Marianne Williamson, Grover Washington, Jr. Noah Levine, Shirley MacLaine, Dennis Weaver, Ben and Jerry and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She calls herself an Opti-mystic who sees the world through the eyes of possibility. 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