Relaxation

Techpriest

Hey,
question,
I work a very physically demanding job, with some mental stress. How do you guys destress when it's time for ritual and meditation? When I get home I find it very difficult to have any interest in reading or meditating, but I make myself do it, but have less result than possible I know. Is there a way I can just release it all?

Thanks,
Kenneth

Uni_Verse

Have you tried doing a Banishing Ritual?

Something that works for me is washing my face with cold water, my thoughts centered on the water absorbing the stress as it splashes on my face and then "slips away."

jw.

One thing which has been working for me is to wake early and meditate. I'm not traditionally a morning person, and I have a lot of trouble getting to sleep early. However the results have been pretty good and I tend to suffer fewer distractions (both internal and external distractions).

zeph

@Techpries said

"I work a very physically demanding job, with some mental stress. How do you guys destress when it's time for ritual and meditation? When I get home I find it very difficult to have any interest in reading or meditating, but I make myself do it, but have less result than possible I know. Is there a way I can just release it all?"

I find that simply laying back and directing my attention to my breath for a time is helpful in this regard. Rhythmic breathing is best -- inhale, hold, exhale, hold, all for the same duration, whatever is most comfortable for you. Experiment a bit. Some people exclude the hold after the exhalation. The breath should be free and easy, and quiet if not perfectly silent.

You might also try clenching each muscle group in turn, before breathing. Begin at your toes, clench and release, work your way up. As a side benefit, clenching your head is a fine way to learn to wiggle your ears.

Hope that helps...

Techpriest

gedanken for all your replies, the advice is really helpful.

Fr Cognosco cum Lux

I work in a somewhat physically demanding job, somewhat mentally demanding in that there are long periods of time wasting.
To destress I usually have sex or masturbate and try to be as candid as possible.

Frater Aurum

work on realeasing tenison from your muscles as a lead-in to meditation, being tension free is very therapeutic

Aum418

@Techpries said

"gedanken for all your replies, the advice is really helpful."

That means 'To think for all your replies.'

I think you are looking for the German word 'danke,' not 'gedanken' (which means 'thought').

Learn to consciously scan your body and relax all your muscle groups. Relax your body and scan over it for tension and re-relax it. Accompany this with slow, deep, rhythmic breathing and your body will naturally go into a relaxed state.

Peace.

IAO131

Techpriest

eh, it was a bit of a play on words actually. But, Danke to you for pointing it out.

jlpugh

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

@Techpries said

"Hey,
question,
I work a very physically demanding job, with some mental stress. How do you guys destress when it's time for ritual and meditation? When I get home I find it very difficult to have any interest in reading or meditating, but I make myself do it, but have less result than possible I know. Is there a way I can just release it all?

Thanks,
Kenneth"

The only good bridge I've found between "work" and "Work" is time and solitude. About an hour, by myself, engaged in an activity that has nothing to do with anything else. Something simple.

At least for me, stimulants don't work, alcohol definately doesn't work, and relaxation rituals of any kind "feel" like you are jumping right into "Work," and there is a pressure associated with this, and a tendency to carry over feelings and attitudes from the rest of the day.

Perhaps the more skilled among us can banish these associations easily... I suppose it also depends a lot on the job. What's the job, if you don't mind me asking?

Love is the law, love under will.

Techpriest

I actually have changed jobs since I posted this, but I was a maintenance worker for a restaurant. Getting an office job has eliminated most of these issues.

jlpugh

@Techpries said

"I actually have changed jobs since I posted this, but I was a maintenance worker for a restaurant. Getting an office job has eliminated most of these issues."

Oops! Got to read those dates on the top of the post.

Belated congrats on the new job.