 Everyone needs a break from time to time. Often times men view themselves as a work horse who will take a break when they die.
With this kind of attitude, this could happen sooner or later. Often times we get so caught up in the run of the mill daily activities that we forget that we need some time to relax too.
Relaxing is a great way to lower the blood pressure and help relieve stress. While most people may know this, they certainly don't practice it enough.
With a 40 hour work week, kids that need attention, and a wife that is always nagging that something in the house needs fixed, you might not think there is much time for relaxing.
There may not be, but you need to find time. You need to have the ability to get away from your life and escape for a little while. Unmanaged stress will eventually come out some way. It is like steam in a tea pot, after it builds up for so long, it will have to release.
If there isn't a hole for it to escape through, then it will make the tea pot explode. It is pretty simple really. We are much like that steam pot.
There are several ways to fit small pockets of relax time each day that you may not realize. On your way to and from work listen to some music that you enjoy. This will help you keep your mind off of things. If you don't drive to work and you commute via bus or subway, buy a walkman.
They are cheap these days and you can get one almost anywhere. Music can be a great way to escape for a small amount of time. Set aside 15 minutes each day for reading. Find a place that is quite with no distractions and read. Not only will this give you an excuse to get away from everyone, you can exercise your brain at the same time.
Plant a garden. This is something that you can get the whole family involved in and can be fun at the same time. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing something that you have planted grow. It almost makes you feel God like.
It also is a great way to save money if you are in a pinch. You can grow vegetables for a fraction of what it costs to buy them at the store. Probably the most important way of relaxing is to set a few days out of each month to spend with your friends. We are all social creatures, we need to be around other people. Don't under estimate your need to interact with others.
Some guys go out and have a few beers and watch a game with their buddies. Sometimes churches will have events for men to get together and do things, also some civic groups do as well. If you don't relax you are a walking time bomb. It will effect your relationships with others. It isn't worth it, nothing is.
Working yourself to death serves no purpose and will cause you more bad than good. I know that most men aren't in tune with their feelings. This is probably the biggest mistake that any person can make. You wouldn't eat a diet void of vegetables would you? No, because it would make you feel run down. The same is true if you neglect your feelings.
Get out and enjoy life. Relax a bit, get those worries off of your mind. Understand that you are a social animal and you need to be around people. Go out and enjoy a slice of pizza and a cold beer with friends. You only live once, and if you allow stress to drive you into the ground... You can relax then. |
