Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen.
—Leonardo da Vinci
The gigantic tension before the shooting of an arrow, and the total relaxation seconds later, is my way of connecting to the universe.
—Paulo Coelho
While it is not commonly discussed in a competitive society such as ours, the principle of relaxation is a form of exercise that is vital to health and well-being. Relaxation is about openness, awareness, and mindfully flow freely. Relaxation is not about doing nothing either—but rather acting freely without tension.
I am just as driven and success-minded as the next person, but I have learned that relaxation is crucial to body regulation and project completion. It is all about balance. It has often been said that balance is impossible when you are working to become successful in a given area. I, however, believe that give and take between discipline and relaxation are imperative to growth.
Relaxation is a mental process. For energy to flow freely, our body needs to allow relaxing effects to take place. To accomplish this, we need to accept relaxation into our life as a necessity.
Focusing on these three steps will allow more room for relaxation, and thus, productivity.
1. Balance
Challenging yourself to accomplish a goal is one part of moving forward. Stepping back and not thinking about it for some time is the other part of achievement.
The mind should be allowed some relaxation, that it may return to its work all the better for the rest.
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—Seneca
2. Understand your well-being
The other side of relaxation is stress or anxiety. While the form of stress, such as eustress—which is defined as moderate or normal psychological stress interpreted as being beneficial for the experiencer—can be a beneficial stressor, the downside side of unnecessary stress is not useful. Yes, we come to tension in life in natural situations, though continued stress responses are not helpful for general well-being.
What I have found is that if I follow my goal and intuition and trust that what I am doing is substantial work—it flows well. It is understandable to feel pressure when you are working on something that is important. What I have discovered, though, is to let go of those worries and just do it. Use the adrenaline and eustress to make the quantum leap into completing the work. It is much better to have it completed than feel stress about it not being perfect and finished. It is true that it is a matter of getting over the fear of inadequacy and believing that you can do it.
Learn to relax. Your body is precious, as it houses your mind and spirit. Inner peace begins with a relaxed body.
––Norman Vincent Peale
3. Resonate with what you are after
Think about what you want to accomplish. Then, work to come into resonance with the goal. Concentrate and meditate on the area you are looking to resonate with.
Whatever your goal––energies and frequencies are there. To understand them and work with them, you need to be in a relaxed state.
The key is to recognize the resonance and become in control to relieve any feelings of anxiousness––and practice the sense of relaxation.
Mastering the art of relaxation is not about trying to fix yourself. Instead, it is about opening your eyes to all the possible moments you were not aware of, and that point out, the power you have always had.
Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.
––Chinese Proverb
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Concentrate upon your purpose, and when it is time to relax—actually use that time to relax. Relaxation can encompass many activities—including all forms of self-care––yoga, breathing, meditating, playing. All in all, the act of relaxation is crucial to well-being.
Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.
—William S. Burroughs
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