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10557236 255009691355558 6229408535114429516 NRelaxation Techniques

Studies show that learning and practicing relaxation techniques may help you to recharge at times when you need it most. When one develops skills that help to manage stress, he or she may also see a decrease in the frequency of general illnesses such as colds, sore throat and the flu. While stress is a basic part of life and experiencing some amount of stress in our lives is protective and adaptive, there are symptoms of stress to look out for to ensure stress does not get out of hand.

Many people tend to create unhealthy habits or behaviors in response to stress, and not learning proper relaxation techniques can affect their job, daily life, family relationships, and financial security. The following provides a review of types of relaxation techniques from the Mayo Clinic.

Deep breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. This is because when you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax. The brain then sends this message to your body.

Deep breathing practice tips and link to more information from Georgia Southern University: Deep Breathing Tips

Genikastressfree

Several studies show that listening to soothing nature sounds and relaxing music increases the levels of serotonin, the “happy” neurotransmitter, and other positive hormones in the bloodstream. Regularly listening to relaxing music can help us disconnect from everyday stress.

Still trying to think outside the box for ideas on how to relax? Have you considered tai chi, yoga or guided imagery? Link to more information: Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief

While these are perfectly fine techniques to help you to relax, today we have a few more tools at our disposal. Enter: the world of apps.

There are a myriad of apps and they’re literally at your fingertips. Whether you have an Android or Apple device, you can choose from several options that suit most every need.

Relaxation through Puzzles

Puzzles are great for all ages to help unwind and destress at the end of the day. They come in various shapes and forms from the traditional jigsaw puzzles and mechanical puzzles like the Rubik’s cube to word puzzles like crosswords and word searches to math puzzles like Sudoku puzzles. The benefits of such puzzles include improved memory, better problem-solving skills, improved visual-spatial reasoning, educational opportunities, increased IQ, delay in dementia and Alzheimer’s, improved mood, lower stress levels, increased attention to detail, increased productivity, and better collaboration. Please follow these helpful links to learn more about puzzles:

  1. Wikipedia_Puzzle
  2. Puzzle_Types
  3. The 5 Benefits of Puzzles Solving for Adult
  4. 7 Benefits of Puzzle Solving for Adults
  5. The Benefits of Jigsaw Puzzles
  6. Discover The Benefits Of Solving Puzzles
  7. The Health Benefits of Puzzle Building
  8. Level Up your Brain Power with Sudoku
  9. Can Coloring or Playing Sudoku Really Boost Your Brain Power?

Relaxation through Board GamesFamily And Friends

Board games can be fun for all ages. And the benefits can vary whether you are a child or an adult. For adults, board games can help better memory and increase cognitive function, lower risk of mental diseases, lower blood pressure, lower stress, speed your responses, and build immunity. There are various types of board games from abstract strategy games (e.g., chess, checkers) to deduction games (e.g., Mastermind, Clue) to economic simulation games (e.g., Monopoly) to race games (e.g., Candyland, Snakes and Ladders). Please follow these helpful links on relaxation through board games. What’s your favorite board game?

  1. General Information
  2. Adults
  3. Kids

Local Hot Spots

Check out the 16 Adventures in Texas’ Hidden Hill Country!

Link to more information: 16 Adventures in Texas’ Hidden Hill Country

Museums and Aquariums

SchommerFun with Water

Go Outside

Img 4972Sports

See a Show

Ride Rides

Free Fun

  • First Monday Trade Days in Canton
  • Fort Worth Stockyards
  • Klyde Warren Park
  • Fort Worth Water Gardens
  • Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Greed Beach VacayVacation Hot Spots

For your next trip, consider thinking outside the box. Travel and Leisure released their annual list of the 50 best places to travel, and while some classic destinations are listed like Ireland and the Bahamas, there are many vacation hot spots that are just plain fascinating destinations.

Click here to read the article and choose the perfect place to vacation: The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2018

Travel Savings Suggestions

Who needs a few extra zeroes added to their travel savings account? If you’re a budget-conscious traveler, you likely already know about sites like Hopper, FLYR, Skyscanner, Secretflying, and Kayak, or flight deals to Europe on carriers such as Wow airlines. A recent article highlighted Travel Discounts Just for Teachers!

Click this link to explore suggestions from a teacher and sign up for her monthly Teaching Traveling Newsletter: 24 Teacher Travel Opportunities for Free or Super Cheap

Still need more reasons to take a vacation? Check out this article on the 12 Reasons Every Teacher Should Make Time for Travel: 12 Compelling Reasons Every Teacher Should Make Time for Travel

Someone once said that “All work and no play makes you a very a dull man or woman.” But what about combining the two? Read the article below on, Amazing Ways Teachers Use Their Travel Experiences in the Classroom.

Local Event Calendars – DFW

Staycation Tips

What is a staycation? A staycation consists of individuals, or families, enjoying activities that are within driving distances.

What are the rules for a staycation? You set the rules of what your staycation will be about. The idea is that you enjoy it and make it memorable, like a traditional vacation, for less money.

What are the benefits of a staycation? You save money, there is less travel, there are no fees (you don’t pay lodge fees or any other travel expenses related to your vacation, there is less stress (sometimes big vacations create stress).

What are some staycation ideas? Day trips and visiting local places

  • Backyard pool parties. – If you don’t have a pool, visit your local community pool
  • Picnics
  • Attending amusement parks or nearby national parks
  • Consider transforming your backyard into an outdoor retreat
  • Read and enjoy a nice book
  • Go to a baseball game
  • Visit a local event such as a festival
  • Prepare a new meal by trying new recipes
  • Visit a local museum
  • Visit your local zoo
  • Visit your local aquarium
  • Go for a nice bike ride
  • Go watch a blockbuster movie in 3D and surround sound
  • Try Geocaching- a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices
  • Try Paintballing or Laser Tag
  • Check out the Local Library
  • Go Bowling
  • Visit a Nearby Tourist Spot
  • Go Paddleboarding or Canoeing
  • Create Your Own Art
  • Give Yourselves a Makeover or visit the Spa
  • Go Golfing
  • Stay home and do nothing!

The best staycations should be planned ahead and scheduled as if they were out-of-town vacations. If you do your research there are no worries. You are encouraged to put the dates in the family calendar and talk about how it’s two weeks and then a week before vacation time to create excitement. Consider you normal routine and mix it up a bit. For example, perhaps in the evenings you plan a movie night, game night or a giant indoor sleep over in the family room. Consider themed food and music to make things festive. For example, grilling burgers and hotdogs and playing some 1950s songs during dinner, or create a make-it-yourself taco bar in your kitchen and play Mexican music. Be organized, but remember not to plan every minute of your staycation. Consider the goal to relax and feel free to sleep in when needed!

Put yourself on your calendar FIRST! We all know the analogy of putting your oxygen mask on first in an airplane emergency, which teaches you that you’ll be much more capable of helping other people if you’re taking care of yourself first. When you take time to prioritize your health, you’ll have a much richer, healthier life.

State by State: The Unusually Popular Summer Travel

We all know that the summer travel season may include trips to the beach or simply lazy days spent by the pool, but we must also consider warnings of high gas prices and economic recession not to mention overbooked flights, long delays at check-in and new baggage fees. So what’s a traveler to do?

Here’s an article that lists summer travel tips by state so you can select your state to see the top-five list and more details about travel habits during summer months.

This page was last modified on October 12, 2023