Relax

The more I race, the faster I want to go. My competitive spirit gives me that "need for speed." A recent article in the New York Times detailed one often forgotten element of moving quickly — relaxing. It seems counterintuitive, but tension makes you tight and that tightness interferes with your groove and slows you down. You need to learn how to get in that relaxed state while working hard and find the illusive state of being in the zone. You know, when running hard actually feels good.

According to the article, one way to loosen up while on the move is to relax your face starting with your eyes. Tense wide-opened eyes indicate a tense face and jaw, which translates into a tense upper body. A tense upper body is hard to move and can interfere with finding your rhythm. This reminds me of something that I always tell my Pilates clients: relax your face while you're working out because the tension interferes with correct and efficient muscle patterns. Good to know that this trick can help me run faster, too.

So next time you're out for a run or working out, try running "sleepy eyed" and see if that helps relax the rest of your body enough to help you move a little more quickly.

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Sometimes it's the little things we can do to keep on track for optimal health and most of the time it just takes a few minutes, or even seconds, to get back on track.

Slow down. We all tend to run around doing everything we need to get done in a day without taking a minute to just breathe. Even if you're running late, try to take a few seconds to begin each activity with a few gentle inhalations, followed by calm exhalations. Test it out, you'll be amazed at how good a few intentional breaths feel.

Check out all my Minutes to a Healthier You for other quick get-healthy fixes.

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If you’re anything like me then you probably have a tendency to let the little, everyday stresses build up into big overwhelming worries that nag at you all the time. Learning to let go of the little things will not only save you a daily headache, but allow you the time (and energy) you need to tackle those bigger problems that life just loves to throw our way. Luckily I’ve figured out a few methods to make sure those little worries and irritations don’t overcome you. To see them read more

I've been to a handful of bachelorette parties, some relaxing and some wild and crazy, but my favorite one had a little bit of both. Picking the location of your bachelorette party takes a lot of consideration, especially when factoring in a bunch of different women's preferences. If I were to plan my own, it'd be someplace warm so we could be poolside by day, but also someplace fun so we could be painting the town red by night. While I think that's a pretty common criteria for a bachelorette party, some women vote for a weekend getaway in the snow or opt to rent a house somewhere discrete and have a very mellow retreat. So tell me ladies, even if you aren't currently engaged or married, what kind of bachelorette party do you want? Do you want to relax or go all out?

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

Dear Sugar,

My fiancé is coming home in a week from being gone for a year at school in another state. I want to surprise him with the best night he's ever had. It needs to be completely unforgettable, but I don't know what to do. Obviously something sexy will ensue, but how do I start it? Dinner? Wine? What can I do to totally blow him away?

— Enticing Tisha

To see DearSugar's answer, read more

Have you ever, in your entire life, written "relax" on your to-do list?
Well, even if you never have, I am here to tell you relaxing should not be last on your list of things to do. Down time and relaxing are an essential part of staying healthy and happy. Chilling out can refuel a depleted body as well as reduce your heart rate, lower blood pressure, increase blood flow to major muscles (great for postexercise recovery periods), reduce back pain and muscle tension (which often accompanies stress), relieve headaches, improve concentration, and reduce emotional responses such as anger and frustration.

So take a few moments to breath, schedule an exercise session (great for burning off steam), or even a massage. Whatever you do, don't let your downtime slip off your to-do list.

Still feeling stressed, then check out these ways to work relaxation into your life. Go ahead now, relax already.

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What's better than getting a massage from a professional masseuse? Not much, but how about two people massaging you at the same time? I honestly don't think it gets any better than that.

It's the ultimate treat for your mind, body, and spirit. Massage therapy enhances the function of your joints and muscles, improves circulation, relieves physical and mental fatigue and stress, and increases flexibility.

With a Four-Handed massage, two pairs of hands will glide over you with rhythmic well-choreographed motions. One therapist leads the movements while the other therapist mirrors those moves on the opposite side. It sure does sound like the perfect way to de-stress after a long week!

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