Lifestyle 101: A Healthy Head is a Healthy Body

It is no secret that even the strongest of us can often fall victim to the rigours of stress and anxiety. In reality, these emotional states can have a very real effect on our health and the health of our loved ones. No only can stress and emotional upset take a toll on how we feel about ourselves, such thoughts will have a damaging effect on our relationships. So, it is always wise to find ways to help cope with such feelings in a positive and harmonious manner. Let us look at a few tips that can help us find an even keel.

Take Some "Me Time" Every Day

While this may seem virtually impossible for the full-time mother or the husband who finds himself at the office more than he is at home, such personal time is essential. Now, we are not referring to hours spent alone meditating on a hilltop away from the rest of the world. Instead, even finding ten minutes to sit, close one's eyes and practice some deep breathing exercises can do wonders to help lower blood pressure and relieve stress. If we then add the soothing aroma of a lavender candle or a selection of relaxing music, this brief hiatus can work miracles.

 

Stretch

Yes, you read this title correct. Stretching increases blood flow to the brain and heart while helping the muscles to relieve tension that has been built up over the course of the day. Stretching also releases certain "feel good" hormones within the brain that will provide us with a natural high and a sense of peace. These movements do not require the expertise of a yoga practitioner, but instead a few simple exercises that can be found online are able to be performed within ten or fifteen minutes. Stretching relaxes both the mind and the body.

 

Take a Time Out With a Loved One

This may prove to be difficult with a hectic schedule, but setting aside fifteen or thirty minutes each evening to simply sit, watch a candle burn and relax together is one of the best ways to decompress in comfort. In fact, you may have forgotten how wonderful the human touch can feel when you are truly at ease. Not only is this a healthy practice, but it can help centre a relationship.

 

Aromatherapy

Our sense of smell is deeply rooted into the subconscious. It is therefore no surprise that soothing aromas such as lavender, cinnamon and vanilla can truly soothe frayed nerves around the household. If we combine these scents with the soft, gentle flickering of a candle, we suddenly find the perfect recipe for a much-needed respite from our daily lives. These candles can be placed nearly anywhere and even long after their flame has departed, the sweet smell of these aromas will remain.

These three tips will undoubtedly lead to a greater sense of mental and emotional positivity. Practicing such habits is a great way to maintain a fit mind and a physically healthy body.

Tim Aldiss writes for Yankee Candle the home of perfumed candles.