Not all stress is negative. We need stimulation to activate and motivate us just as much as we need regeneration for recovery. The key is to establish a healthy balance between stimulation (YANG) and regeneration (YIN).
Unfortunately, constant stimulation without regeneration has become the norm in today’s world — and this imbalance takes a toll on our health.
Our sympathetic nervous system is almost continuously activated —
while the parasympathetic system is often neglected.
Our sympathetic nervous system is almost continuously activated —
while the parasympathetic system is often neglected.
What does relaxation mean?
It means calming the body — and especially the mind.
You might compare it to pressing a pause button.
We need to relearn how to press that button and allow ourselves a moment of physical and, more importantly, mental recovery.
It means calming the body — and especially the mind.
You might compare it to pressing a pause button.
We need to relearn how to press that button and allow ourselves a moment of physical and, more importantly, mental recovery.
Why is relaxation important?
It leads to deep regeneration of the entire body-mind system
and has a very positive impact on our overall well-being,
as it helps balance out stress.
It leads to deep regeneration of the entire body-mind system
and has a very positive impact on our overall well-being,
as it helps balance out stress.
How do I press the "pause button"?
Even just a few minutes of gazing mindlessly into nature or at an image can be regenerative.
Listening to relaxing music or a relaxing story, feeling warm sunshine or a massage, moving mindfully, engaging in mental training, or spending time with friends can all support recovery.
Even just a few minutes of gazing mindlessly into nature or at an image can be regenerative.
Listening to relaxing music or a relaxing story, feeling warm sunshine or a massage, moving mindfully, engaging in mental training, or spending time with friends can all support recovery.
In yoga, various techniques are used to activate the parasympathetic system:
Pranayama (breathing exercises) as well as active relaxation through asanas combined with conscious breathing.
Other relaxation methods include:
Yoga Nidra, guided imagery, body scan, sound journeys, meditation, etc. — all of which offer body and mind a true break.
Pranayama (breathing exercises) as well as active relaxation through asanas combined with conscious breathing.
Other relaxation methods include:
Yoga Nidra, guided imagery, body scan, sound journeys, meditation, etc. — all of which offer body and mind a true break.
Distractions like reading a book or watching a movie
do not count as true relaxation in this context,
because they continue to stimulate the sympathetic system.
do not count as true relaxation in this context,
because they continue to stimulate the sympathetic system.
Truly calming the mind takes practice.
Even the simple act of trying not to think shows how difficult it is.
Even the simple act of trying not to think shows how difficult it is.
There are many ways to quiet the mind —
and everyone can find their own path.
One moment, jogging might help you clear your head,
in another, a sound journey might be what you need.
and everyone can find their own path.
One moment, jogging might help you clear your head,
in another, a sound journey might be what you need.
Try different things and tune in to yourself:
Which pause button do you need to press right now
to activate your parasympathetic system?
Which pause button do you need to press right now
to activate your parasympathetic system?
A few minutes of mindlessly watching this beautiful sunrise relaxes the mind and body 🌅 and can be very regenerative. ✨
🌅 I wish you a calm and peaceful moment
as you listen to the gentle sound of the waves,
while the ocean welcomes the rising sun. 🌊💛
The sun slowly rises above the horizon, bathing the sky and sea in golden light. The waves roll softly onto the shore—steady, soothing—like the heartbeat of nature. ☀️🌊🕊️
as you listen to the gentle sound of the waves,
while the ocean welcomes the rising sun. 🌊💛
The sun slowly rises above the horizon, bathing the sky and sea in golden light. The waves roll softly onto the shore—steady, soothing—like the heartbeat of nature. ☀️🌊🕊️
In this moment, there is nothing to do, nowhere to be. Just presence. Just feeling.
Just breathing.
Just breathing.
✨ May this moment bring you peace—within and all around you✨
💛 Let light into your heart ☀️✨
Sometimes, everything feels heavy.
Thoughts keep spinning, doubts start to whisper.
But right then—open up, just a little. And let the light in. 🌤️
Thoughts keep spinning, doubts start to whisper.
But right then—open up, just a little. And let the light in. 🌤️
A kind word, a smile, a sunbeam in the morning. That’s all light.
And when you allow it into your heart, everything becomes brighter.
Warmer. Lighter. 🌞🕊️
And when you allow it into your heart, everything becomes brighter.
Warmer. Lighter. 🌞🕊️
You don’t have to be perfect.
Just open—to love, to hope, to new paths ahead.
Because where there is light, new things begin to grow. 🌱💫
Just open—to love, to hope, to new paths ahead.
Because where there is light, new things begin to grow. 🌱💫
💌 Remember: Your heart is strong—
and truly beautiful when it shines.
and truly beautiful when it shines.
👀🌿 Look into nature and enjoy the birdsong. 🐦🎶
🌱 Ferns belong to the oldest seed plants.
🌳 Over 300 million years ago, tree ferns formed vast forests
and created the basis for most of today’s coal deposits. ⚫🔥
🌱 Ferns belong to the oldest seed plants.
🌳 Over 300 million years ago, tree ferns formed vast forests
and created the basis for most of today’s coal deposits. ⚫🔥