How to take the load off at home by using these wellness & relaxation tools!

Most people's day starts with a glance at the daily ‘To Do List', which just seems to be getting longer as the day goes on:  more projects to complete, more errands to run, events to attend, kids to be driven to classes. There are not enough hours in any given day to accomplish it all. So we hurry up, we multi -task and get exhausted by this load. We always feel pressed for time and get resentful and frustrated as a result. We don't even have time to go exercise at the gym any more.

You can make a difference and not let the daily grind affect you by taken just a small amount of time aside to make a difference, that is by creating inner calm and spaciousness so that you actually feel that you are in control of the day and that the events of the day don't control you.
Here is how you can set the tone for the day:

AM Ritual
10 min - dance at dawn
Before you start to do anything at all in the morning, put on your favorite slow dance music, start by slowly moving your body to the rhythm of the music, pick up speed if you feel like. This is not a performance for others, it's just for you. Naturally move to the rhythms and celebrate the start of the day.

10 min - conscious breathing
Sit up comfortably, either cross-legged on a meditation cushion on the floor, or on a chair with your back in an upright position. Make sure to make your spine long. Close your eyes and take a deep breath through your nose, make it deep and slow. Let your rib cage expand naturally. Hold the breath for a moment, 1 to 2 seconds at the end of your inhalation, then start to exhale slowly. In-breath and out-breath should be even in length. Pay attention to your upper body relaxing as you breathe out. Try to sense where you hold tension in your body, imagine that the tension can melt away with every exhalation.

So you have just spent 20 minutes at the start of your day. The key is to get into a routine and just do it every morning. It is fun, grounding and gives you a calmer outlook on the day's events.

PM Ritual
10 min - dance your stress away
Once you get home from work, now is the time to crank the music up a notch and play some dynamic dance music and rock your body to the rhythm of the music. It is fun to create a play list on iPod or MP3 player, one for slower type of dance music for the am workout, and a more dynamic/faster paced type of music for your pm routine. Let your body move naturally to the music. Don't strain yourself.

10 min - Restorative Yoga
Restorative Yoga is all about resting and is designed for deep relaxation. This is not a workout, or to accomplish complicated poses. Just make yourself comfortable in a more quiet area at your home. Lie down on a yoga mat, carpet or blanket, facing up. Put a bolster underneath your knees, a pillow under your head. Imagine that you sink into the floor, feel the tension in your back melt away and leave your body. Start breathing evenly, long inhalations and exhalations. Continue your Yoga Meditation by simply being conscious and observant of your breathing. Just lie there, resting deeply. After 10 minutes, come out of the pose by bending your knees and then rolling to your side. Slowly sit up.

Before resting for the night, you might consider taking a relaxing bath with Aromatherapy bath salts such as Lavender, Melisse or Hops. Create a calming ambience by playing meditation music and lighting candles.

Try these simple routines. They take just very little time out of your day, yet give you back inner calm and spaciousness so that you can be performing at the top of your game. You feel alert and refreshed!