You Should Relax More... And Here's Why
I find it sort of fascinating that we genuinely need to be told to relax more. After all, who doesn't enjoy some quiet time to rest? Unfortunately, though, in this age of technology that we find ourselves in currently, productivity tends to trump relaxation. We are always attached to some sort of mobile device, and that allows us to continually check and respond to emails, make phone calls, browse the web, etc. And, therefore, we ultimately begin to feel idle and unproductive if we aren't constantly immersed in one task or another.
In reality, we need time to relax. Our bodies need time to unwind and unplug from the day-to-day stress. Therefore, we’ve compiled a list with some hard-to-argue-with reasons why we should allow ourselves to take the time to wind down on a more regular basis:
Relaxation can improve your cardiovascular health
It's pretty well known that stress and over-stimulation is not good for your heart. It can lead to high blood pressure and ultimately contribute to serious health risks such as heart attacks and strokes. Experts actually find parallels between stress and other major health risks, such as a poor diet or a lack of exercise. Therefore, for the sake of your own well being, try to take some time each day to unwind. Whether it’s through a good book, a long bath, or a yoga class, give yourself the opportunity to do something that really takes stress off of your body and your mind.
Relaxation can boost your body's immunity
Recent research out of Carnegie Mellon University has shown that along with acute amounts of stress comes a doubled risk of catching a cold. The study indicates that stress suppresses the body’s ability to decrease inflammation, by making immune cells far less sensitive over time. Most notably during cold and flu season, take the time to relax with a cup of hot tea or a bowl of soup at the end of a busy work day in order to help boost your immune system and to avoid getting sick.
Relaxation can help you to maintain a healthy weight
Most of us know the unparalleled perils of stress. It usually involves an entire bag of chips, a whole carton of ice cream, or a mega-sized fast food meal. And it’s not a coincidence that you eat poorly during times of stress- your body produces more cortisol, which can increase your appetite and, in turn, make you more apt to give into to junk-food cravings.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Autumn Barnes