Chill Out and Kick Back: This Sunday is National Relaxation Day

It is nice finding that place where you can just go and relax. – Moises Arias

Let’s be honest, we’re stressed out – all of us. Since this terrible virus COVID-19 emerged in what feels like 100 years ago, our stress levels have not only gone through the roof, they’ve reached the clouds. COVID-related stress is especially high among health care workers, with thousands of doctors and others working in the field reporting feelings of burnout.

Even independent of COVID, we all face daily stresses in the form of family problems, monetary concerns, marriage/relationship issues, health worries, etcetera. But for one day, Sunday, August 15th to be exact, let’s put all of our stresses aside; as Sunday is National Relaxation Day.

What is National Relaxation Day?

The only thing more surprising than the thought of a day in America actually being dedicated to relaxation is the fact that the concept came from a child. Michigan resident Sean Moeller conceived the idea for National Relaxation Day in 1985 at the tender age of nine years old – pretty impressive! The child behind the idea is now a man who continues his vision, and each year Moeller recognizes one individual for having a predilection for relaxation. If you too need some help relaxing, you should check here this new delta 8 thc gummies for sale.

National Relaxation Day is celebrated annually on August 15th. The day promotes… well, relaxing, via stress relief and various techniques you can use to feel at peace (more on that in a bit). Also, National Relaxation Day should not be confused with a similar holiday established by the Brits called National Slacker Day.

How to Spend the Day?

First, it might be a good idea to actually make a relaxation schedule. We all have busy lives, and that’s especially true of doctors, so it’s imperative to schedule your chill time around any life commitment times.

While there’s a plethora of relaxing activities you can partake in, here are a few suggestions.

• Fishing: Go find a nice lake, and attempt to reel in a big one with a friend or family member. Fishing is a relaxing activity, and you don’t have to be good at it to have a good time.
• Reading: Go find a fiction novel that you can’t put down, or an autobiography with a book cover design that catches your eye, and that blows your mind with intrigue. Not only is reading relaxation, it’s good for your health.
• Picnicking: Make some sandwiches, grab a blanket to spread out, and find a nice park to picnic. If this is the activity you choose to celebrate on National Relaxation Day, it might be a good idea to apply to some insect repellent…
• Trip to the beach: Summer will be over before we know it, so get to the beach while you still can (if it’s not storming, of course). On top of being relaxing, the beach actually offers a bevy of mental health benefits. Just be sure to apply sunscreen liberally.
• Golfing: Call your golfing buddies up, and go hit the green on Sunday. Like fishing, you don’t have to be good at golf to relax and have a fun time.
• Movie watching: If you’re like this writer, then you know movie watching can be a cathartic experience. Feel free to laze on the couch and choose from the seemingly limitless streaming services available to us to find a good, compelling movie (or series).

*Note, with the Delta variant running rampant, to be careful – even if you are vaccinated (which hopefully, by now, you are). However, all these activities can be done in a manner that doesn’t augment your risk of infection.

Techniques to Use on National Relaxation Day… or Any Day

As explained by Mayo Clinic, relaxation techniques involve refocusing your attention on something calming while increasing awareness about your body.

There are many relaxation techniques one can employ, but here are three.

• Autogenic relaxation. Autogenic means something that comes from within. To implement this relaxation technique, you use both visual imagery and body awareness to reduce stress. You can do so by repeating positive words, or affirmations, in your mind to relax your muscles and allay your stresses. An example of autogenic relaxation is finding a nice, peaceful place to sit, and practice relaxed breathing, or feeling different physical sensations.
• Progressive muscle relaxation. This basis of this technique is concentrating on slowly, calmly focusing each muscle group, thereby helping you discern the difference between muscle tension and relaxation. As Mayo Clinic notes, you can also start with your head and neck and work down to your toes. Then, tense your muscles for about five seconds and then relax for 30 seconds – repeat process.
• Visualization. In this relaxation technique, you’re encouraged to use any form of mental imagery to take a visual journey to a peaceful, calming place or situation. Specifically, try to relax using visualization while incorporating as many senses as you can, including smell, sight, sound, and touch, I.E., imagining a relaxation day by ocean by thinking about the smell of salt water, the sound of crashing waves and the warmth of the sun beaming down on you.

So, this Sunday, find something that’s relaxing for you. Once you do, feel free to take a picture of your relaxing activity, and share it to your Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, ect., with the hashtag #nationalrelaxationday.

Enjoy your relaxing weekend, and stay safe.