The lead up to Christmas and the summer holidays can be a very stressful time of year. On top of the usual chaos of the festive season arriving, it’s very easy to forget how to unwind when you lead a busy life year-round.
伴随着圣诞节和暑假的到来，一年之中最紧张的时刻也将随之而来。除了假日带来的小混乱外，人们也很容易在忙碌的一年之后忘记如何放松。
Actively taking the time to unwind is so often side-lined by people without understanding just how important it is to their wellbeing. Relaxing helps lower muscle tension. It positively impacts digestive health. It can lower blood pressure, lower your heart rate and increase blood flow to your brain. And it does wonders for your emotional state and general mental health.
人们经常会忽视放松可以带来巨大健康益处，放松有助于降低肌肉紧张。它对消化系统有着积极的影响。它也可以降低血压，降低心率，同时增加大脑的血流量。它还可以对您的情绪状态和心里健康产生不可思议的影响。
Everybody relaxes in different ways. Some practice yoga, meditation or mindfulness while others put their feet up and lose themselves in the turbulent relationships of fictional characters on television. Some read. Some write. Some cook. Some eat. Some run. Some walk. Basically, any activity that is calming to you and removes you from the daily stressors of life is a tool you can use to relax.
每个人都有不同的放松方式。有些人练习瑜伽，冥想，或正念。还有些人在电视剧里的虚构角色和动荡关系中放松自己。有人读书，有人写作，有人烹饪，有人享受美食，有人跑步，有人健走。可以安抚并帮助你减压的任何行为都可以被当作是一种放松的工具。
Specific relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, meditation and yoga are highly effective. It can take time to learn and feel the benefits of these techniques, (which is well worth the effort!) but if you’re looking for some alternative techniques to have up your sleeve when you’ve fallen off the wind-down wagon – these six tips might also be helpful.
放松方式：深呼吸，正念，冥想和瑜伽都是非常有效的。可能需要一段时间去学习才会体会到它们的好处（这都是非常值得的）。如果你正在寻找一些其他的方式，以下的六种方法也是不错的选择。
1. Leave your work at work
把工作留在工作单位中
Stop working! Work belongs at work and your personal life belongs at home. Technological advances have made our lives better in so many ways, but mobile devices have become constant connections to our jobs. When you leave the office, leave your work at the door. If you can’t disconnect your emails, at least turn off the notifications!
停止工作！工作属于工作，你的个人生活属于家庭。科技的发展使我们的生活在许多方面得到提升，但移动设备会让我们无法摆脱我们的工作。当你离开办公室，离开你工作的门口。如果你无法断开你的电子邮件，请至少关闭来件提示！
2. Write down your worries
写下你的担忧
Get a notebook and write down anything that’smaking you feel worried or anxious, then set it aside. Research shows that acknowledging your problems by writing them down may actually help you toseparate yourself from them, making it easier to calm your mind while you rest.
用笔记本记下任何使你感到担忧和焦虑的事情，然后把它放在一边。研究表明，承认你的问题并写下来，实际上会帮助你从这些问题中分离自己，使得你的大脑更容易平静，从而使你得到放松。
3. Use visualisation
使用冥想
Visualisation can be a particularly powerful tool when you begin to feel frazzled or anxious. On a neurological level, our brains don’t really know the difference between real, watched and imagined scenes. The brain develops pathways and builds connections that support habitual trains of thought. Regularly visualising yourself relaxed in your favourite place, doing a relaxing activity, thinking about the sounds, the smells and the sights actually develops mental and emotional pathways that help you to relax.
当你感到疲惫和焦虑不安时，冥想可以是一个特别强大的工具。在神经层面，大脑并不知道真实，视觉和想象之间的区别。大脑开发并建立支持习惯性思维训练的途径与连接。定期让自己在最喜欢的地方放松，幻想在你熟悉的环境里做一些放松的活动，想象着那些熟悉的声音、味道与场景可以帮助我们的精神与情感得到放松。
4. Get back to nature
回归大自然
There’s something to that old saying about stopping to smell the roses. Being outdoors and sitting amongst nature quietens a busy mind and is a great way to engage all your senses. Take time to focus on your breathing and listen to your surroundings and observe the sounds, sightsand smells.
有句话说停下来闻玫瑰的花香。走出家门与大自然融为一体可以让你所有的感官得到放松。花些时间调整你的呼吸，聆听你周围的声音，审视周围的环境，做到天人合一。
Natural health supplements can also be the added support your body needs to help relax and de-stress. B Vitamins, 5HTP (Deep Sleep), Magnesium and herbs like chamomile, lemon balm, withania and passion flower are all great remedies for when life becomes a little too busy and seems to be getting on top of us.
天然健康补充剂也可以帮助你放松和缓解压力。维生素B，5HTP (睡眠片)，镁和洋甘菊，柠檬香草，睡茄属和西番莲花都可以帮助我们在繁忙的生活中放松下来。
5. Be present
活在当下
Mindfulness is a therapeutic technique that focuses on the here and now. It is a mental state achieved by being aware and focused on the present moment. Focus on your thoughts and feelings, be aware of what your body is doing and calmly accept it all. It’s choosing not to relive yesterday’s crisis or worry about that big meeting tomorrow, but rather to live in the moment.
正念是一种专注于活在当下的治疗技术。它是一种关注当下的精神状态。集中精力于思路和感觉，关注行为举止，并安然的接受一切。不为昨日而后悔，不为明天而烦扰，只是活在当下。
6. Workout what works for you
知道什么是最适合自己的
Nobody ever found peace by pursuing things that didn’t make them happy. Work out what is good for you and what is not (and be honest). Lifestyle and diet have a huge impact on your general wellbeing. Look after yourself, and make yourself aware of what is working in your life and what is not.
没有人可以在他们不喜欢的事情中得到平静。找出那些什么是对自己有益和无益的（一定要诚实哦）。生活方式和饮食习惯对健康都有着巨大的影响。关注自我，了解什么是对你有助益的。
Try using these techniques to stay calm and relaxed in the lead up to Christmas, your body and mind will thank you for it!
在圣诞节来临之前，尝试一下这些方法来使自己保持冷静和放松，你的身心都会有一个显著的改观。
