Instant Recharge

When things get difficult or stressful, we all need some time out to recharge the batteries. A quiet place to escape to is everyone’s dream, though not always possible, but there are other simple ways we can relax and recharge – and they only take a few minutes of your time.

Here are some ideas you might like to try:

- Make yourself a ‘proper’ cup of tea (loose-leaf in a teapot) or coffee (brewed) and curl up with a good book or some favourite music through a good set of headphones.

- Write a journal entry – something positive and uplifting.

- Draw, doodle or colour-in – very therapeutic!

- Play an on-line game (a fun one, not a frustrating one.)

- Practice spontaneous meditation. You don’t have to strike a yoga pose or light a candle to get into the ‘zone’. Get comfy on the couch; curl up if it feels good. Turn off the TV, pick a spot in the room to focus on (not the dust bunny in the corner, though) and concentrate on slowing and deepening your breathing. Do this for even just a few minutes and you will feel much more relaxed.



- Go for a drive – it doesn't have to be far. Head in a direction you haven’t been before (away from traffic) and just enjoy cruising, or take your book and park in a shady street or overlooking the local park. Lock the doors, tune the radio to something you love and just chill out.

- Go for a leisurely walk and admire other people’s flower gardens.

- Spend some time enjoying your own garden. You don’t have to actually garden, but just spend some time admiring, touching, smelling and breathing the fresh air. It may be a well-worn cliché, but we do get so busy day-to-day that we forget to take time just to ‘smell the roses’. If you don’t have a garden, seek out the nearest garden centre and stroll around the displays. There’s something about the greenery and the earthy smells that really lifts your mood.



- Take a cool shower on a hot day or a warm one on a cold day - or better still, soak in a warm bath.

- Make yourself a natural facial refresher spray. Here are a couple of easy ones:
• Dissolve a vitamin E capsule in 2 cups of boiled water then add the skin of two lemons and steep overnight. Strain into a plastic pump spray bottle.
• Instead of lemon you could steep a green tea or chamomile tea-bag, a piece of aloe vera plant or add a few drops of your favourite essential oil.


- We've all heard that moistened tea bags are great for refreshing eyes, but chamomile tea bags are just as effective (and don’t stain the skin like regular tea does).

#_life_skills
#_happiness
#_time_out
#_me_time
#_self
#_self_care
#_recharge



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