By Jack Fox (Office & Facilities Manager)
When you are navigating the heavy waves of self harm recovery, suicidal thoughts, or deep emotional pain, the word ‘relaxation’ can feel a bit out of reach. But on World Relaxation Day (15th August) we want to redefine what relaxation actually means.
For anyone fighting for their mental health, relaxation is an act of gentle survival. It is the permission to pause, breathe, and remember that hope is still here, and so are you.
When you are carrying an immense emotional load, your body and mind are constantly in overdrive. Fighting against painful urges or dark thoughts takes an incredible amount of energy.
You might feel like you have to be constantly ‘fixing’ yourself, working on your mental health, or putting on a brave face for others. But constantly fighting without pause leads to exhaustion. Remember that taking a step back to rest is not surrendering to the struggle. It is refuelling so you can keep moving forward.
Recovery doesn’t require you to be strong every single second of the day. Sometimes, recovery looks like doing absolutely nothing except breathing for twenty minutes.
What Methods Can Help With Relaxation?
If traditional relaxation methods feel overwhelming or unhelpful, that is completely okay. You don’t need a perfectly calm mind to practice self-care. Here is what low-pressure, grounding relaxation can look like on the tough days:
- Slowing Down the Nervous System
Try a simple breathing exercise, or name 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, and 1 you can taste to bring yourself back to the present moment. - Creating a Safe Physical Space
Wrap yourself in a heavy blanket, dim the lighting, or put on noise-cancelling headphones with a comforting playlist. - Releasing the Pressure to ‘Feel Better’
You don’t have to force yourself to feel happy today or any day. Just focus on feeling safe and supported right now. - Engaging in Low-Stakes Activities
Watch a favourite comforting TV show, draw a picture without caring about the result, or sit outside and feel the cool (or warm) air on your skin.
You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone
If today feels too heavy to carry by yourself, please reach out. Resting also means letting others help hold the weight for a little while.
Talk to someone you trust or reach out to us for support. If you self harm, have suicidal thoughts, or have been bereaved by suicide, we can help. Contact us on 0115 880 0280, email support@harmless.org.uk or make a referral here.
Today, on World Relaxation Day, allow yourself to just be. You have survived 100% of your hardest days so far, and there is hope ahead.
