The skill of relaxation
Wholebeing Domain: Rest
Relaxation: Consciously releasing tension from the mind and body to reach a state of calm and comfort.
A cure to the ‘myth of busyness’
In a world that glorifies the ‘myth of busyness’, the skill of relaxation can feel counterintuitive or even indulgent. You may feel guilty for taking time to rest or believe that you are not as productive and effective when you slow down. However, the truth is that regular relaxation is not a luxury but a necessity for your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.
💡 “The systems have manipulated and socialized us so that we stay exhausted. We can remain stuck in a never-ending cycle of trauma.”
–Tricia Hersey, Rest Is Resistance
In fact, the skill of relaxation is a profound practice to boost your inner wellbeing and your outer effectiveness in the world. It’s about consciously releasing tension in your mind and body, allowing you to enter a state of calm and ease. It gives you the permission to let go of unnecessary stress and pressure and experience a renewed sense of vitality and rejuvenation.
What does this mean for changemakers?
For changemakers, the skill of relaxation is a practice of rebellion against and liberation from grind culture and systems of manipulation and oppression. Learning to recharge your battery prevents burnout, enhances your resilience, and boosts your capacity for positive change.
It may be helpful to differentiate between different types of relaxation and rest:
Physical: Recharging your body through sleep, napping, or taking a break from physical activity.
Mental: Giving your mind a break from constant stimulation and problem-solving through practices such as mindfulness meditation.
Emotional: Processing and releasing pent-up emotions, be it through journaling, therapy, or heart-to-heart conversations with other people.
Spiritual: Connecting to something greater than yourself, be it through prayer, reflection, or contemplation.
Sensory: Giving your senses a break from constant stimulation by turning off notifications, enjoying silence, or spending time in Nature.
Creative: Replenishing your creative well through activities that spark your imagination and sense of play.
Social: Taking time for yourself, setting boundaries, and choosing your social interactions consciously.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Relaxation is not about numbing out or avoiding life’s challenges. Rather, it’s about grounding yourself in a sense of calmness so you can engage with life’s challenges more fully. When you’re able to relax and release tension, you make space for new ideas and solutions.
How can you practise the skill of relaxation?
Here are a few practices to get you started:
Reflection
Take a moment to reflect on the following prompts and share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
💭 What is your relationship with relaxation? Which types of rest do you tend to neglect? How might incorporating more moments of relaxation support your inner wellbeing and outer effectiveness as a changemaker?
⚠️ REMINDER: Relaxation is a skill for consciously releasing tension and finding calm amidst the busyness of work and life. By learning to relax and recharge regularly, you tap into a powerful source of creativity, compassion, and resilience that enhances all aspects of your life and changemaking efforts.
This skill is connected to the Wholebeing Domain of Rest
Rest is the ability to value rest and renewal as means to liberation. It involves reframing yourself as a human being, not just a human doing. This includes skills such as relaxation and slowing down.
Teaser 👀
The next post will introduce the skill of aligning with the cycles. In the meantime, as you engage with our wholebeing practices, share your commitments, insights, and experiences on your #WholebeingJourney in the comments section below.
Big hugs,
Alessia, Greta, and Tariq