Most people nowadays are constantly on alert, life being like a survival battle. But it’s as if my body is built for a sprint while I’m living in a continuous marathon. It’s normal for it to eventually be unable to cope, leading to various ailments.
What does life mean in this context? A struggle to become someone. A flight from our own peace. Yet, this state of peace actually represents a state of health.
What really stresses us? Is it the people and events themselves, or the way we react to these stimuli? But why do we sometimes have uncontrolled, defensive reactions? Do others really want to bring us down and hurt us in every situation? Or do we have unresolved issues with ourselves, and occasionally someone comes along who reminds us of these, bringing them to the surface, and from there, we start feeling like we’re on a battlefield, where only the strongest survive?
What other reason could there be for our negative reactions, which sometimes take us by surprise, and later we regret them? Could it be that we’ve neglected our needs for too long? Maybe we haven’t had a restful sleep in a long time, or we haven’t allowed ourselves to truly relax, thinking we don’t have time for these things, as they are not a priority? Or perhaps we’ve forgotten how to enjoy life. But who can imagine a well-rested, deeply relaxed, and self-satisfied person being critical, argumentative, and defensive? Hard to imagine, right?
Relaxation, in my view, can be divided into two categories:
- Those aimed at forgetting our problems, but as soon as we think of them, we instantly feel negative—and at the slightest stimulus, we lash out uncontrollably at whoever crosses our path.
Examples: spending time in front of the TV or on social media, smoking, drinking alcohol, comfort eating, etc. - Those that bring us into a state of reverie and make us feel fulfilled—situations that once seemed difficult and overwhelming now seem less serious, and we feel we have all the resources to resolve them.
Examples: walks in nature, conscious breathing exercises, visualizing a relaxing place, yoga, massage and acupressure, consciously smiling while also correcting our posture, aromatherapy—with specific, calming essential oils (basil, chamomile, eucalyptus, lavender, mint, rose, frankincense, etc.), calming teas, consciously modifying our inner dialogue to be positive and optimistic, prayers, meditation, and others of this kind.
I’ll focus on the second category, the authentic one that helps us in the long term, by detailing two examples.
Relaxation Massage—performed in such a way as to induce a deep state of relaxation and inner peace.
For this, both the state of the masseur and the state of the recipient are very important. The massage has maximum benefits when the therapist is in a state of inner calm and peace, and the person on the table truly receives and surrenders to the therapist’s hands. But for this, there needs to be a relationship of trust between the two, and also compatibility.
According to researcher James Webb, it has been discovered that relaxation is an action that uses the conscious mind.
This raises the question: has anyone considered that during a massage, the recipient can also consciously participate in their own relaxation process?
One way would be slow, deep, and conscious breathing, especially in the case of painful physical tension, but also in the case of mental agitation. We calmly inhale love, optimism, forgiveness, acceptance, or whatever we feel we need at that moment, and we exhale stress, agitation, negative thoughts, or other similar things.
Mentally reciting mantras like the one from Ho’oponopono: “Forgive me! I forgive you! Thank you! I love you!” would be another method. Or positive affirmations for mental reprogramming: “I choose to savor this moment,” “I free my mind and soul from worries. I have complete confidence that they will be resolved very easily, exactly at the right moment.”—you can create one or more that suit you.
The next example is a practical one, taken from Gregg Braden, aimed at aligning the mind with the heart.
We place our palms together as if in prayer, at chest level, touching it, and we focus our attention on the heart.
We remain focused and slow our breathing as much as possible and as is comfortable.
We activate positive emotions that we can experience with our whole being and let ourselves be carried by the feeling. It can be a state of gratitude, or love, or others that make you feel good.
It’s important to give enough time to each stage for it to take effect. Slow, deep breathing and focusing on the chest area (the spiritual heart) should be maintained throughout the exercise.
From this state, we can talk to our heart and make important decisions.
For more information, read the following article: Heart-brain connection – intuitive intelligence.
I’ll end with a suggestion—ask yourself daily or as often as possible: Have I done something for my soul today? Or—What would bring joy to my soul today?
