Buzz
Everyone has their own way of relaxing: some believe that relaxation is a right and make it a priority, while others think it must be earned after accomplishing certain tasks or completing a certain amount of work. However, what many overlook is that relaxation is, in fact, a skill.
Like any other skill, relaxation must be learned and practiced regularly. Here’s what you need to know to change your perspective on relaxation.
How to See Relaxation as a Skill
In a world where productivity—both at work and at home—is highly prized, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that any time not spent working is simply 'relaxing,' and that relaxation itself is lazy or indulgent. (It's not.)
At the same time, there’s a constant buzz about burnout and the need to avoid it. But those who’ve been trained to stay busy can’t just flip a switch and instantly start relaxing and recharging.
In a recent opinion article, New York Times columnist Farhad Manjoo argued that true relaxation—specifically, physically relaxing your muscles—actually requires skill, one that must be learned and practiced. His insight, however, applies to relaxation in a broader sense as well.
“I have come to think of relaxation as a skill,” he writes. “The more I relax, the better I learn which parts of my body tend to become tense, what that tension feels like, and how to release it with a quick flick of the mind.”
How to Develop and Practice the Skill of Relaxation
Whether you want to try Manjoo’s muscle relaxation technique or need help training your brain to switch off from work mode, here are several ways to learn and practice relaxation:
Progressive muscle relaxation techniques: In addition to the one Manjoo describes in the latter part of his article, you can find more instructions from University of Michigan Health, Mayo Clinic, and University of Toledo.
Make relaxation a goal: This strategy helps work-focused minds relax.
Organize your downtime: Notice that we didn’t say “schedule” your downtime. There’s a crucial distinction.
Lastly, this guide from Charleston Southern University offers additional methods for not just relaxing, but also preparing your body and mind to enter a state that fosters relaxation.
