Human bodies are considered medical masterpieces keeping many secrets left undisclosed inside. No matter how accurate and well our organisms are usually working, they sometimes shut off. It does not happen out of the blue as our bodies get tired and desperately need quality rest. Why our bodies react like that? Why rest is so important? How to achieve absolute relaxation?
What happens to a tired body?
Fatigue is not only a physical but also a psychological phenomenon. Our bodies might lack energy for us to function due to many different things: sleep deprivation, busy work schedule, irresponsible lifestyle, stress, various illnesses, and mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, etc. What’s interesting is that long periods of laziness can also lead to extreme exhaustion!
You don’t need to have a medical degree to notice and recognize some of the effects of tiredness. Fatigue affects our skin as dark circles appear under eyes, skin becomes soggy, losses its elasticity and shininess, and we get cracked lips. It also negatively impacts our weight and eating habits; as metabolism slows down, hunger increases and the body starts searching for more energy, but for some fatigue might mean the complete loss of an appetite! Besides, tired people are more exposed to mood swings as they can laugh one minute and cry from sadness a few seconds later. It also gets harder for us to concentrate and memorize new information when suffering from exhaustion, so it takes a longer time to complete even the simplest tasks.
Deteriorated mental and physical health is not only a cause but also a consequence of tiredness and exhaustion. It’s a never-ending cycle as fatigue increases the risk of depression, thus worsening the whole ‘feeling tired’ situation. It also adds up to a weak immune system, cold-like symptoms, muscle tension, and headache, so our bodies are genuinely telling us when they are feeling tired, – we have to listen.
What’s the value of relaxation?
As fatigue is conquering our lives and stress levels are getting too high, all we have to do is rest and spend some time in peace with ourselves. It might be impossible to plan a few minutes a day to focus on breathing or meditation, but it does have a crucial impact on our happiness. The endorphins and serotonin – ‘happy hormones’ – goes hand in hand with enjoyable sensations and fights stress. Serotonin also helps balance mood swings and sleeping schedule; it takes care of appetite and digestion, – relaxed body better absorbs nutrients from the food. Let’s not forget dopamine as this hormone is associated with proper memory functioning!
Even a few minutes of rest helps our bodies operate. For example, breathing exercise slows the heart rate and relieves tension; it allows our minds to clear and start thinking positively. As our brains relax and restart, it gets easier to concentrate, memorize, make decisions, and fight viruses – all at the same time!
Tips on helping you relax
As cliché as it might sound, it is necessary to find the way to relax that fits the best, although, some ideas are worth for everyone to try.
We’ve already mentioned performing breathing exercises and meditating as both successfully reduce stress levels, help control anxiety, and promote self-awareness. There are many smartphone applications designed to help – press a few buttons, and you are good to go!
Other time-proven relaxation methods include visualization and muscle loosening exercises. The latter requires tightening and relaxing all one’s body muscles; it lowers blood pressure levels and reduces the body’s need for oxygen, thus reducing anxiety and fatigue.
Visualization is all about positive and relaxing thoughts going through one’s mind; it encourages the person to focus on the details and enhances overall concentration. If you still find yourself struggling to relax, try using CBD drops – their use improves the quality of sleep and reduces anxiety – it might be all you need!
Reward yourself with something you truly enjoy doing after a long and stressful day; it might be reading a book, watching movie, eating out, or having a hot bubble bath. Relaxing is all about positive emotions and inner happiness!
It all sounds exciting, but not every rest day leads up to a healthy and fatigue-free life; if you work from home and try to rest on the same sofa, it might not be as relaxing as your wish. Changing the environment helps, but it might be hard to achieve desired results due to the ongoing pandemic situation and international quarantine restrictions.
Natural native surroundings offer the best possible ways to relax: why not try ‘restarting mind’ in the forest, by the lake or river? As scientists agree that any physical activity – walking, running, cycling, or swimming – can improve one’s health and reduce the risk to become ill, it also liberates one’s thoughts from stress and helps focus.
Activities in the fresh air can relax one’s brain, but the body may not feel any signs of rest. In such situations, it is useful to have some CBD cosmetics on hand; silk balm will soothe insect bites, CBD glide gel will take care of sun-kissed sun, and a cooling gel will relieve muscle pain after an uncomfortable sleep in the tent.
Fatigue can bring out many problems to the surface; it is necessary to prevent them in time. However, we might not always be one step ahead of them, so we must know how to deal with what they bring. Quality rest means loving yourself – who will take care of our bodies and minds if not us?