Did you know that August is associated with relaxation? In fact, National Relaxation Day took place on August 15. It’s a day that encourages everyone to slow down and unwind. With so many things that are happening, you might find it challenging to simply unwind and relax. But hey, relaxation is essential, which is why you need to set aside time for it.
The History Of “Relaxation” August
In the Roman world, August has always been known as the month of rest. This is because it is the month that follows the labors in the fields in the spring and summer. To honor this, a feast in honor of the harvest and fertility of the fields is celebrated during mid-August (hence there’s a mid-day August relaxation that takes place on the 15th).
The emperor Augustus also takes its name from the month and he was also the one who gave meaning to August 15. In 18 BC, he introduced the Augustales, who established August as the month dedicated to holidays. The month also held many festivals.
Now, August has been known as National Relaxation Month! So, here are ways to help you relax amid the crisis that we are in right now:
Don’t Make Any Major Life Changes
Now is not the time to make important changes in your life. It’s already stressful as it is, so don’t add to this. Now, all you need to do is survive and get by. Everything will pass and until it does, postpose any major life changes. If you’re already feeling stressed or anxious, it’s even better that you avoid significant events as much as possible.
Do the Things That You Love
With so many things that are happening animist of us are locked inside our homes, take this moment to spend more time doing things that you love. This is an excellent way to ease your worries. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, it could be as simple as listening to music, reading books, gardening, connecting with family and friends online, etc. If you are gifted with “artist” hands, create something from scratch for perhaps, learn a new craft. Just do things that make you happy at least once a day.
Take Control Of Your Workload
A lot of us are still working despite the lockdowns. In fact, work has become even more stressful for most of us these days. However, it’s vital that you maintain an excellent work-life balance, especially now that you are working from home. If work is stressing you out, plan ways to reduce the stress. Perhaps, you can take more breaks than usual or say no to additional work responsibilities so you can have more time for yourself and your family.
Work Out
I can’t stress this enough, but now is the perfect time to get your body moving. Even if you don’t feel like it, push yourself to do so. There are so many benefits that you can get from working out. You might not see it first, but working out is a form of relaxation. It helps relieve stress and tension in your body and makes you feel happier after. So, this month, try to squeeze in more workouts a week. After all, it can help strengthen your immune system, too!
Take this month to find more time to relax and simply enjoy your alone time. It is more important than ever.