I’ve learned over the years that if you start thinking about the race, it stresses you out a little bit. I just try to relax and think about video games, what I’m gonna do after the race, what I’m gonna do just to chill. Stuff like that to relax a little before the race. Usain Bolt
What’s the rush? RELAX! Today is National Relaxation Day and I’ve spent a good chunk of it running around like a chicken without a head. The day started with some early morning stress but, I went to a yoga class to de-stress and then walked into the house around 12:30pm to find out that the carpet installers brought a hideous carpet that looked like it belonged on a pedestrian pathway. After an urgent call and consultation with the store, I had to take a swatch with me and drive over there to find a more suitable color. One of my kids who has a keen eye for color came with me, and we spent the next 2 hours trying to find the right color, at the right price, and that was available immediately in the warehouse. Meanwhile, the house had been stripped naked of its carpeting and everything was somewhere else. Oy! I bet some of you know this story well, and have lived it from prior experience, right?
As I drove back home, I started reflecting on the day. What do we do when things take a sharp turn away from what we expected? How do we find a way to regroup, relax and de-stress? While my little story might not be the ultimate stress inducing event in the world, the thing about stress is that we feel it anyway. It doesn’t matter if the trigger is minute or momentous, we feel the elevation in our blood pressure, and the tightening in our throat and muscles. If we go on pure emotion, we end up having a meltdown. If we can create a bit of distance from the unsettling event unfolding before our eyes, and try to gain a positive, results oriented perspective, the level of stress decreases. I was watching an interview on the triple 100M Olympic champion, Usain Bolt, in which he made the comment listed above and his point resonated. WE can choose to have a melt down or find a way to shift gears and get into solution mode. The choice is ours to make.
The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for July and August 2016 are:
JULY
07/04 – 1 Canada Day, 4 Independence Day – July 4th, 4 New Moon
07/11 – 11 World Population Day, 14 Bastille Day
07/18 – 18 Nelson Mandela Day
07/25 – 25 Thread the Needle Day, 30 International Friendship Day & Anti-Trafficking Day
AUGUST
08/01 – 2 New Moon, 5 Summer Olympics begin in Rio, 07 Friendship Day & Sisters Day, 07 International Forgiveness Day,
08/08 – 08 Peace Festival, 09 Book Lover’s Day, 09 World’s Indigenous Peoples, 12 International-Youth-Day, 13 International Lefthander’s Day, 14 Tisha B’av,
08/15 – 15 Assumption of Mary, 15 National Relaxation Day, 18 Full Moon, 18 Bad Poetry Day, 19 Nat’l Aviation Day &
World Humanitarian Day
08/22 – 22 Be An Angel Day, 22 National Tooth Fairy Day, 26 National Dog Day, 26 Women’s Equality Day, 27 Global Forgiveness Day
08/29 – 29 National Heroes’ Day, 29 More Herbs, Less Salt Day, 30 Toasted Marshmallow Day
Are You Looking for Ways to Stay Creative in 2016?
We will be more successful in all our endeavors if we can let go of the habit of running all the time, and take little pauses to relax and re-center ourselves. And we’ll also have a lot more joy in living. Thich Nhat Hanh
What can we do to get our relaxation game on? For starters, BREATHE! Taking a few deep breaths and modulating our breathing pattern can help us pull ourselves together; STOP TALKING: One of the hardest things to do when we are feeling stressed is to stop talking a mile a minute about every possible minutiae that gets us feeling even more twisted; STEP OUTSIDE: If you cannot do so, imagine yourself out of that space, and in a more open, welcoming, light filled space; Consider what you need to GAIN CLARITY; Remind yourself to BELIEVE there is a solution for whatever is stressing you out; If possible, DELEGATE, delegate, delegate the task to someone more able; Finally, BE SILENT for a while: We often forget the power of silence to help us regain control in stressful situations. Not only is silence a powerful tool that helps us pull ourselves and our thoughts together, it gives us enough space to relax and re-center, and with that comes greater clarity. That is what I ended up doing today to help me through and I believe it could work for you too.
Another great tool I turn to when chaos reigns and calm seems a huge distance away is to read the popular SERENITY PRAYER. Whenever I turn to it and repeat those words, a slow but steady calm eventually descends on me and my space, and I am able to weigh the issues before me in a less hysterical manner. Go on then, kick back, RELAX! Does this prayer resonate with You? Here it is for you to read and ponder:
SERENITY PRAYER
God, grant us the…
Serenity to accept things we cannot change,
Courage to change the things we can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference
Patience for the things that take time
Appreciation for all that we have, and
Tolerance for those with different struggles
Freedom to live beyond the limitations of our past ways, the
Ability to feel your Love for us and our love for each other and the
Strength to get up and try again even when we feel it is hopeless.
Motivation Mondays is open to anyone who wishes to share a motivational quote, photo, personal challenge or a post that encourages others to start the week on an upbeat note. Basic Instructions: Each week, I will have a motivation word to help us create a response. (See listed words for the months above/below) Email address: You may email or share your post as a comment and I will add it to the round-up of related posts. email it to: contact(@)mirthandmotivation(.)com Category tag: – Share your post using Motivation Mondays Twitter hashtag: – Use this on Twitter #MotvnM Dedicated Page: There is a dedicated page for Motivation Mondays. It has the same instructions and will include other helpful tools and a link to the round-up Facebook Page:MotivationOnMondays Join our page and add your post and/or any motivational piece you think will be helpful to others. Facebook Community: We have a Facebook community forum to compliment the page. It serves as another way to share uplifting posts and thoughts. Please join in and add your voice.
Badge: – I created a fun badge using PicMonkey’s free photo editing tools. You can create your own, use WordPress’ integrated tool on your blog or you are welcome to use mine. (see dedicated page) Tag: – Motivation Mondays Hashtag: – #MotvnM Related Posts
Yeah stress sometimes just creeps in and ruins our days. I think gaining perspective in the grand skeme of what happens to people in the world can help you realize maybe things aren’t that bad. I’ve had to do the same thing recently.
This is very important topic!! These photos are so inspiring and beautiful… “The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.” – Sydney J. Harris (this is so…so true)
Great post here! As I was reading this post, the book Psycho-Cybernetics by Dr.Maxwell Maltz kept coming to mind. It’s a great book if you haven’t read it yet. In fact, it’s one of my favorites.
The book stresses on the fact that we need to relax. Forcing the issue only adds unnecessary stress. Most of the time, if we learn to relax our minds, we come up with ideas/concepts when we least expect it. It’s important to not overwork our minds and our bodies and give it the rest and relaxation it deserves.
I do follow most of the rules above. One can’t do the same thing all the time, been busy and all that. One will definitely need a break and when that break comes in, you relax.
I had no idea what today was! I wish I’d known. But in retirement, my life is sometimes relaxed. Not always, but more so than when I worked in my career.
For me, everyday is national relaxation day! I make it a point to relax at the end of the day. My stress buster these days is watching my favorite series on TV.
I love the Serenity prayer. It has been with me my entire life since the first day it was introduced to me in 1st grade. Acceptance is a virtue most of us need to practice. Just be still and trust in God’s Wisdom and Grace.
How strange it is that relaxation is something we crave for and yet, it is so difficult to achieve. Blessed are those who can really put their minds to rest and relax themselves. Worries and tensions have really taken away the comforts from our lives. Thanks for the reminder!
Yesterday was a day that had me stressed out TOTALLY–I just could not get anything right!! Heaven knows what my blood pressure was–all I know is I had a major headache from it all. So how did I de-stress–I took a nap-a 3 hour nap. Sometimes that is the only thing that calms me down!
Agree with Usain Bolt, the more uptight we are about a project, the more chances we will fail. Relax and your brain and body will work better. If you are too tense, everything freezes up.
I didn’t know there was a national relaxation day! Mind you there is a national everything day now lol I think a lot of us have forgotten how to relax these days, I certainly am no good at delegating or stopping talking haha
Absolutely fabulous pictures and all of htem go so perfectly with this motivation Monday. It’s not easy to relax but it’s important to have at least one short moment a day to let it go and a moment. Looking at a peaceful lake, a beautiful flower etc for a second or two can make wonders in the feeling.
I must say I’ve grown to look forward forward to your posts Elizabeth! Love your little tidbits of inspiration. I de-compres on the way home so I don’t bring my stress home. But I really should learn to relax throughout the day. (PS: Usain Bolt is amaze-balls)
Another great piece of informative, educative and inspirational post of the day. Life is not all about stress you need to relax at least to regain some energetic to continue the journey to the glory land.
We have so many special days & weeks these days and a national relaxation day sounds quiet amazing. The message from Usain Bolt is just amazing & inspiring for sure as staying relaxed under any circumstances is always going to be the key to success!
I oftentimes say i am always in a rush. For what? There will always be deadlines and plates to wash, clothes to press and wash, kids to put to sleep. So why the rush? Life would be more meaningful if i enjoy all those moments than rush.
Whenever I go through problems and the least I can do is to think of ways how to solve it, I always give myself a break. You know, there are some things we can’t handle so why stress?
National Relaxation Day sounds like my kind of day!
I also love the serenity prayer. Reciting this prayer when life gets chaotic, will sure help to calm me down. Thanks!
I like the top quote, but I don’t think it is my mind as much as it is the Holy Spirit. I definitely think it’s important to relax your mind to let Him in.
We can truly control our minds through relaxation when things gone outtight. Relaxation gives the total sphere of our imagination to process the postive aspects of thinking. Fernando Lachica
I didn’t know that there is something called National Relaxation Day. In this busy life, truly there is a need to take a breath and relax to rejuvenate.
I think it’s really sweet that next Monday is National Tooth Fairy Day. I have two nieces and one of them is still really into that stuff – I will surely let her know.
Relaxation to me is getting myself off any form of worries. And sometimes I do it with ease by watching movies. My mind can simply blank out things or situations that may seem to weigh me down. Over all, it pays to relax because, “what will be, will eventually be”.
To relax, I like to get somewhere by myself…a hot bath, a nice walk or run, listening to music with my headphones on… While it can sometimes be very hard, we really can choose our mood!
Stress is everywhere, especially with the modern lifestyle that we lead. I read to destress and everynight ends with 20 minutes of yoga, ready for the next day.
I didn’t know there’s a relaxation day! Haha… I also agree that your activities sound more stressful than relaxing…. it’s pretty self-stress inducing. I see myself in your actions…
It is extremely hard to wait and relax or I would say it is the hardest thing to do, but then if you are able to do it, you will be able to resolve all your affairs. Great post.
I really need a day of relaxation! Your tips are exactly what I need to hear right now. Sometimes taking a break can be the best thing to get a fresh look on things.
I love the Serenity Prayer. I was introduced to it when a family member went though addiction, and it really resonated with me for all of life. We can only do what we can do for us and for others.
I love the start of a new semester. I am getting that much closer to achieving my goal. That is my inspiration, getting better educated for a better life to give my family!
I was just talking about this same topic with my therapist the other day – I asked her why some things have stayed with me over the years, and especially why some things have such a great impact on me now. We ended up talking for a while about how there’s no difference between big stress and little stress because all stress effects the body in the same way. It was a fascinating talk.
Proper relaxation leads to proper recharge making a better person in the end of the day. Understanding the true value of relaxation is probably what marks me as an adult in my own eyes.
The photos are very relaxing to look at, though I never heard of National Relaxation Day before, It’s good to step back a little and relax, recharge and motivate.
Great tips! I’ve never heard of National Relaxation Day, but this seems to be the need of present day times. We keep on running in our day today lives and it’s important sometimes to just stop and take things slow.
I like when you share these “global” type days. I had no idea these were happening.
It’s always good to take a step back and breathe.
My daughter and I had a spontaneous road trip today and it was one of the most relaxing things ever!
I totally need some relaxation time. The next few weeks are really busy for me! I need to make sure to plan for some quiet time.
Relaxation is a must! I take time each day to relax to renew my mind.
I am always looking for ways to be more creative. I need to start with my photos.
I never heard of national relaxation day! This is a time for us, so I better take advantage of this day!
Sigh, National relaxation day and I had no idea! I just spent my Monday running around to get ready for school. I really need a rest day.
Great post! I think we all need some time to relax everyday. It is so important for us.
Yeah stress sometimes just creeps in and ruins our days. I think gaining perspective in the grand skeme of what happens to people in the world can help you realize maybe things aren’t that bad. I’ve had to do the same thing recently.
De-focusing from the task on hand for some time works wonders and one is able to give of the best.
Love that opening quote! Its so true and something I forget to do often.
Relaxation is a must for every person specially parents who needs a relation time.
It would have been a lot more fun if National Relaxation Day was everyday, especially for parents with toddlers. LOL
It is nice to know that today is national relaxing day. This day is perfect for the cold weather here in our place.
beautiful post
I love the first quote and also the reminder to stop talking, especially the mental chatter in my own thoughts.
We all need to let go of so many things that burden us and just relax…
I used to love the drive back home from work, where I could recap on things.
Great prayer, perfect timing. I’m too stressed out, I need to relax
Great motivating post, as always!
Samantha xo
Relaxing and distressing is vital to being happy and healthy. Sometimes you need to unplug and just be to regroup.
To be honest I think doing stuff is my relaxation!
Same here… Of course some things are more relaxing than others. 🙂
This is very important topic!! These photos are so inspiring and beautiful… “The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.” – Sydney J. Harris (this is so…so true)
I am reading this as we drive across state to drop our son off for his first year at college. My nerves needed a relaxation post 🙂
Great post here! As I was reading this post, the book Psycho-Cybernetics by Dr.Maxwell Maltz kept coming to mind. It’s a great book if you haven’t read it yet. In fact, it’s one of my favorites.
The book stresses on the fact that we need to relax. Forcing the issue only adds unnecessary stress. Most of the time, if we learn to relax our minds, we come up with ideas/concepts when we least expect it. It’s important to not overwork our minds and our bodies and give it the rest and relaxation it deserves.
Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks for this Monday motivation post. I need this right now..
Sometimes I just have to escape with a nap. That almost always chills me out.
Relaxation is a great way to start the week. I’ve been trying to make time to relax and it’s harder than it should be for my flexible schedule.
I do follow most of the rules above. One can’t do the same thing all the time, been busy and all that. One will definitely need a break and when that break comes in, you relax.
i really enjoy your post, i always have a hard time trying to relax. this was really helpful thanks
i really enjoy this post i always have trouble trying to relax. this was really helpful
As always great motivation! Always needed on Mondays too, thank you!
I really need to learn how to relax more. It can be so hard to let go sometimes.
Oh on on the carpet coming over in a hideous color. Talk about life’s little surprises, huh? 🙂
Monday motivation is a great idea. I need that.
I had no idea this day existed and I wish I would have taken advantage of it, haha. I will next time around, I suppose!
I had no idea what today was! I wish I’d known. But in retirement, my life is sometimes relaxed. Not always, but more so than when I worked in my career.
Would you know it, I’m relaxing right now, listening to gentle music with incense burning.
This is such a fascinating post. I love that I can turn to your blog for motivation Mondays.
For me, everyday is national relaxation day! I make it a point to relax at the end of the day. My stress buster these days is watching my favorite series on TV.
I love the Serenity prayer. It has been with me my entire life since the first day it was introduced to me in 1st grade. Acceptance is a virtue most of us need to practice. Just be still and trust in God’s Wisdom and Grace.
This was a great reminder as I relaxed on this special day. 🙂
What a great day! We started doing yoga as a family to help us all relax.
Everyone needs great relaxation time. Beautiful and calming photos!!
I notice a huge difference when I dont feel centered, when I’m just rushing from one thing to the next. It’s a miserable feeling.
I love that photo with the flower in the pond. so beautiful!
We all need some time to relax. Time to escape, breathe and think about everything.
what a great post!
Great tips! If I feel stressed, I focus on my breathing for a few moments. Since practicing yoga, I’ve learned that this works well for me.
Rosie
How strange it is that relaxation is something we crave for and yet, it is so difficult to achieve. Blessed are those who can really put their minds to rest and relax themselves. Worries and tensions have really taken away the comforts from our lives. Thanks for the reminder!
Yesterday was a day that had me stressed out TOTALLY–I just could not get anything right!! Heaven knows what my blood pressure was–all I know is I had a major headache from it all. So how did I de-stress–I took a nap-a 3 hour nap. Sometimes that is the only thing that calms me down!
Just looking at the photos make me feel relaxed already.. SO nice…
Agree with Usain Bolt, the more uptight we are about a project, the more chances we will fail. Relax and your brain and body will work better. If you are too tense, everything freezes up.
I think in the case of Usain Bolt, he enjoys what he is doing. It feels so easy for him to weave through the run.
I find it very hard to relax so relaxation is something I need to work on for sure.
I didn’t know there was a national relaxation day! Mind you there is a national everything day now lol I think a lot of us have forgotten how to relax these days, I certainly am no good at delegating or stopping talking haha
I need this! I love you “What can we do to get our relaxation game on?” tips, great tips you got here! I really need to do these.
I need to relax a little more this week than normal. I have been very stressed this week.
I need to relax. I have been sick the last two days so if I baby myself today it will be ok
What great ways to get your “relaxation game on.” Believing there is a solution to the problem really re-focuses me–love that!
Absolutely fabulous pictures and all of htem go so perfectly with this motivation Monday. It’s not easy to relax but it’s important to have at least one short moment a day to let it go and a moment. Looking at a peaceful lake, a beautiful flower etc for a second or two can make wonders in the feeling.
I must say I’ve grown to look forward forward to your posts Elizabeth! Love your little tidbits of inspiration. I de-compres on the way home so I don’t bring my stress home. But I really should learn to relax throughout the day. (PS: Usain Bolt is amaze-balls)
I like that serenity prayer. I really need time to relax and I will find time for it so I can have it every day!
That was super exciting for me when I was watching the Rio Olympics! I love your post!
This amazing! I love just driving home and reflecting on my day in general:)
Another great piece of informative, educative and inspirational post of the day. Life is not all about stress you need to relax at least to regain some energetic to continue the journey to the glory land.
Such an inspiring blog.Continue Inspiring people. Thank you.
relaxation is very important. A balanced life is needed to enjoy life.
I have the hardest time relaxing. But its so importan!
Interesting concept for a monday motivation post, I thoroughly enjoyed the photos and contrast. Cheers to Usain
I don’t generally give myself enough time to relax. It is something I’ve been trying to do better at.
We have so many special days & weeks these days and a national relaxation day sounds quiet amazing. The message from Usain Bolt is just amazing & inspiring for sure as staying relaxed under any circumstances is always going to be the key to success!
I oftentimes say i am always in a rush. For what? There will always be deadlines and plates to wash, clothes to press and wash, kids to put to sleep. So why the rush? Life would be more meaningful if i enjoy all those moments than rush.
Whenever I go through problems and the least I can do is to think of ways how to solve it, I always give myself a break. You know, there are some things we can’t handle so why stress?
National Relaxation Day sounds like my kind of day!
I also love the serenity prayer. Reciting this prayer when life gets chaotic, will sure help to calm me down. Thanks!
I like the top quote, but I don’t think it is my mind as much as it is the Holy Spirit. I definitely think it’s important to relax your mind to let Him in.
We can truly control our minds through relaxation when things gone outtight. Relaxation gives the total sphere of our imagination to process the postive aspects of thinking. Fernando Lachica
I didn’t know that there is something called National Relaxation Day. In this busy life, truly there is a need to take a breath and relax to rejuvenate.
I think it’s really sweet that next Monday is National Tooth Fairy Day. I have two nieces and one of them is still really into that stuff – I will surely let her know.
I love this. I sure need a relaxation day! Your posts are fun and inspirational.
This is a great topic for motivation Monday. I think it’s important to start each day in a relaxation state.
Your monday motivationals are a thing to die for, I love reading them as it gives me motivation every day.
What fantastic images!
I didn’t know Relaxation day exists! No wonder why though, relaxing is really important for our body, mind and soul 🙂
Relaxation to me is getting myself off any form of worries. And sometimes I do it with ease by watching movies. My mind can simply blank out things or situations that may seem to weigh me down. Over all, it pays to relax because, “what will be, will eventually be”.
To relax, I like to get somewhere by myself…a hot bath, a nice walk or run, listening to music with my headphones on… While it can sometimes be very hard, we really can choose our mood!
Stress is everywhere, especially with the modern lifestyle that we lead. I read to destress and everynight ends with 20 minutes of yoga, ready for the next day.
Thanks for another wonderful and very inspiring post! Truly motivational for me!
It’s so important to stand back and take a breath from time to time. It just gets us to gain a better perspective on things 🙂
I tend to store my stress and tension. I need to relax more but generally don’t allow myself the time to do so.
as always ..very motivating and much needed therapy going through your pictures and post! 🙂
Breathing is such an important key to relaxation! I can’t believe how often I feel stressed out and realize that I’ve been holding my breath!
One way to relieve my stress due to work is to play with my one-year old son.
I didn’t know there’s a relaxation day! Haha… I also agree that your activities sound more stressful than relaxing…. it’s pretty self-stress inducing. I see myself in your actions…
It is extremely hard to wait and relax or I would say it is the hardest thing to do, but then if you are able to do it, you will be able to resolve all your affairs. Great post.
I could use a day to set aside to relax. Once the kid get back I will start.
I love having motivation, it’s what really keeps me going and makes me less tired everyday. It helps me make sure that things get done.
I really need a day of relaxation! Your tips are exactly what I need to hear right now. Sometimes taking a break can be the best thing to get a fresh look on things.
No rushing going on for me today! Relaxing right now – while reading this blog and looking at these lovely pictures. Thank you!!
I love the Serenity Prayer. I was introduced to it when a family member went though addiction, and it really resonated with me for all of life. We can only do what we can do for us and for others.
I love the start of a new semester. I am getting that much closer to achieving my goal. That is my inspiration, getting better educated for a better life to give my family!
I do love that collage of relaxation images. It is certainly the time of day to kick up my feet and relax!
There’s a day called national relaxation day? Wow! Stress doesn’t take us anywhere. We should learn to be relaxed more often than not.
I love your relaxation prayer. Very spot on! It is so important to live life and not get fixated on those things that do not allow you to relax.
I was just talking about this same topic with my therapist the other day – I asked her why some things have stayed with me over the years, and especially why some things have such a great impact on me now. We ended up talking for a while about how there’s no difference between big stress and little stress because all stress effects the body in the same way. It was a fascinating talk.
I have anxiety so it can be hard for me to relax. These are some great tips that I know will help me!
I’m glad to hear that Kristy!
Proper relaxation leads to proper recharge making a better person in the end of the day. Understanding the true value of relaxation is probably what marks me as an adult in my own eyes.
I had no idea there was a national relaxation day! I am definitely marking it down in my calendar for future dates. Ha! 🙂
The photos are very relaxing to look at, though I never heard of National Relaxation Day before, It’s good to step back a little and relax, recharge and motivate.
Great tips! I’ve never heard of National Relaxation Day, but this seems to be the need of present day times. We keep on running in our day today lives and it’s important sometimes to just stop and take things slow.
A peaceful day at home is often a great way to relax. I don’t always need to be running around doing stuff.
If carpets are worn out it really needs replacement.