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5 ways to unwind in 60 seconds

<p>If you’re feeling edgy and wound up you’ll know how good relief and relaxation feels. It’s almost like holding your breath and finally being able to exhale deeply. While practices like meditation and yoga are fantastic to incorporate into your day to keep stress levels under control, sometimes you need a quick fix to bring levels back to earth.  Here are five of the best.</p> <p><strong>1.     Shift your gaze upwards –</strong> Staring up stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which lowers blood pressure and helps slow the speed of your breath. Add some backwards counting to completely rid your mind of distractions and shift your focus.<br /><strong>2.     Write it down –</strong> Jotting down your worries or stresses on paper can help you to regain a sense of realism. Confining your concerns to a notebook and setting it aside for the next day can also be a great strategy to help with sleep.<br /><strong>3.     Breathe deeply –</strong> Deep-breathing helps slow the heart rate and calms the body right down. Try breathing in through your nose, holding, and then exhaling through your mouth 10 to 20 times for instant calm.<br /><strong>4.     Mini mediation –</strong> Guided imagery can help provide a temporary escape from everyday stress. Try imagining that you’re floating on a cloud high above the earth. Focus on what you’d be able to see/hear even smell to completely engage all senses.<br /><strong>5.     Consciously release tension –</strong> The natural response of the body to stress is to tense up causing pain and discomfort. Progressive muscle relaxation can help release that tension. Try slowly tensing and then relaxing your muscles from your head down to your toes.</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/finance/insurance/2015/09/tips-for-positivity/">How to adopt a more positive mindset</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/finance/insurance/2015/09/david-freilich-its-never-too-late/">Why it’s never too late to chase your dreams</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/finance/insurance/2015/07/view-of-happiness-different-today/">What happiness looked like 80 years ago compared to now</a></em></strong></span></p>

Insurance

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4 ways carers can unwind at the end of the day

<p>Devoting your time to the care of a loved one is one of the most selfless acts a person can do, and although it can be incredibly rewarding, it can also be emotionally and physically taxing. One of the most common problems carers encounter is spending so much time looking after someone else that they have no time to look after themselves.</p> <p>So, if you’re a caregiver, it’s time to pat yourself on the back and celebrate the wonderful things you do for others with a little bit of “me” time. Here are a few ideas to inspire your next self-care session.</p> <p><strong>1. Get the blood pumping</strong></p> <p>Caregiving can stir up a range of unwanted emotions, from anger and resentment to guilt and pity. Sometimes, the best thing to do is let out your frustrations physically. Anything that gets the heart rate up (running, hiking, skipping) will do, but if you’re feeling particularly tense, there’s nothing better picking up some boxing gloves and releasing your negative energy on a punching bag.</p> <p><strong>2. Treat yourself</strong></p> <p>When was the last time you visited your favourite restaurant or café? Take the next spare opportunity you have to do so. Or, if culinary delights aren’t your thing, why not book a spa day? A facial, pedicure or massage always does the trick, or even a bubble bath at home (complete with a glass of wine and some chocolate!) if you’d rather save the money.</p> <p><strong>3. Lose yourself</strong></p> <p>If exercise, your favourite food or relaxing at the spa aren’t enough to calm those caregiving woes, let yourself be absorbed into a gripping book, movie or TV show. It’s only a temporary escape, but an escape nonetheless.</p> <p><strong>4. Breathe</strong></p> <p>Rarely in our busy lives do we take the time to just breathe. You don’t need to be a meditation pro to perfect a relaxing breathing technique – anyone can do it. A popular breath exercise that reduces stress and even helps insomniacs fall asleep is the 4-7-8 technique. Inhale through your nose for four seconds, hold your breath for seven, then exhale through your mouth (making a “whoosh” sound) for eight. Repeat the cycle until you begin to feel it working its magic.</p> <p>Are you a caregiver? What advice do you have for others to help relax at the end of the day? Share your tips with us in the comments below.</p>

Caring

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Childhood activities to help you unplug and unwind

<p>While Playschool and play dough might be best left in the past, a number of pursuits previously considered as just “for kids” are making resurgence in the adult market. From colouring to cooking, jigsaws to juggling, these activities all have one thing in common; they allow us to switch off and de-stress. Here are our favourites.</p> <ol> <li>Colouring – Adult colouring books are topping the bestseller list and for good reason. Colouring as an adult takes on an almost meditative quality allowing you to unplug and unwind all at once.</li> <li>Jigsaws – Similar to colouring, working your way through a jigsaw puzzle means unplugging from technology and anything else you might have going on. Your attention is solely focused on the task at hand, which can be incredibly soothing.</li> <li>Board games – While there are a plethora of “newbies” to the scene, we thing the traditional board games are the best. Scrabble, the original versions of Monopoly, even Chess and Checkers are all wonderful ways to while away an afternoon.</li> <li>Gardening – Whether you’re a green or black thumb, there’s generally something “gardening” related to suit. There’s something extremely relaxing about spending an hour outdoors pruning and mulching. Even apartment dwellers can get in on the act with the newly marketed “vertical gardens” or clever pot based growing systems.</li> <li>Bike riding – If it’s been a decade (or two) since you last spun the wheels, it might be time to give it a go again. Renting a bike for the day or weekend is a great way to not only incorporate cardio activity into your life but also reconnect with simpler times.</li> </ol> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2014/06/new-age-nanas-a-guide-to-successful-grand-parenting-in-the-21st-century/"></a></em></strong></span></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/11/clever-cop-saves-dog/">Clever cop saves dog with a moment of inspiration</a></em></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2014/06/new-age-nanas-a-guide-to-successful-grand-parenting-in-the-21st-century/"></a></em></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/12/happiest-dogs-in-the-world/">The happiest dogs in the world</a></em></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2014/06/new-age-nanas-a-guide-to-successful-grand-parenting-in-the-21st-century/"></a></em></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/11/interspecies-animal-friendships/">15 unlikely friendships that will melt your heart</a></em></span></strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2014/06/new-age-nanas-a-guide-to-successful-grand-parenting-in-the-21st-century/"> </a></em></strong></span></p>

Family & Pets