With Elle Flynn away this week I’m sorry to say there was no Fashion Zone tonight. It’s was my pleasure to sit in for Elle. You could write what I know about fashion on my little fingernail, so instead, we had some of the smoothest chilled out music around, old and new, and details of some relaxation techniques that you can use to help you relax and combat the stresses and strains of modern life.
We Heard –
Polly Paulusma – Mea Culpa
Late Night Alumni – Beautiful
Adele – Lovesong
Annie Lennox – Thin Line Between Love and Hate
Planned Relaxation calms anxiety and helps your body and mind recover from everyday rush and stress. Music, a long soak in the bath, or a walk in the park do the trick for some people, but for others it’s not so easy. If you feel you need help with learning to relax, try a relaxation or meditation class. Your GP and local library will have information about these.
Aya – Curtain Call
Bryan Ferry – Only Face
Coldplay – Strawberry Swing
Katie Melua – Blame It On the Moon
Practise Deep Breathing at a regular time and in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Loosen or remove any tight clothes you have on, such as shoes or jackets. Make yourself feel completely comfortable.
Sit in a comfy chair which supports your head or lie on the floor or bed. Place your arms on the chair arms, or flat on the floor or bed, a little bit away from the side of your body with the palms up. If you’re lying down, stretch out your legs, keeping them hip-width apart or slightly wider. If you’re sitting in a chair, don’t cross your legs.
Good relaxation always starts with focusing on your breathing. The way to do it is to breathe in and out slowly and in a regular rhythm as this will help you to calm down.
Des’ree – Feel so High
Dusty Springfield – The Look of Love
Eldissa – Ring My Bell
The Centering Technique was developed by the Tibetan Monks over 2000 years ago. Centering requires you to focus your attention on the centre of your body, the area just behind your naval button. The technique has a calming and controlling effect, providing an effective way to manage anxiety.
Tony Bennett – I Left my Heart in SanFrancisco
Frank Sinatra – Fools Rush In
Eric Clapton – Change The World
Yoga involves a series of both moving and stationary poses, combined with deep breathing. As well as reducing anxiety and stress, yoga can also improve flexibility, strength, balance, and stamina. Practiced regularly, it can also strengthen the relaxation response in your daily life. Since injuries can happen when yoga is practiced incorrectly, it’s best to learn by attending group classes, hiring a private teacher, or at least following video instructions.
Fleetwood Mac – Crystal
Morcheeba – The Sea
Tai Chi – If you’ve ever seen a group of people in the park slowly moving in synch, you’ve probably witnessed tai chi. Tai chi is a self-paced, non-competitive series of slow, flowing body movements. These movements emphasize concentration, relaxation, and the conscious circulation of vital energy throughout the body. Though tai chi has its roots in martial arts, today it is primarily practiced as a way of calming the mind, conditioning the body, and reducing stress. As in meditation, tai chi practitioners focus on their breathing and keeping their attention in the present moment.
Frankie Valli – My Eyes Adored You
Jack Johnson – Constellations
Deep muscle relaxation – This technique takes around 20 minutes. It stretches different muscles in turn and then relaxes them, to release tension from the body and relax your mind.
Paul Weller – Time Passes
Robbie Robertson – Somewhere Down the Crazy River
Rhythmic exercise—such as running, walking, rowing, or cycling—is most effective at relieving stress when performed with relaxation in mind. As with meditation, mindfulness requires being fully engaged in the present moment, focusing your mind on how your body feels right now. As you exercise, focus on the physicality of your body’s movement and how your breathing complements that movement. If your mind wanders to other thoughts, gently return to focusing on your breathing and movement.
If walking or running, for example, focus on each step—the sensation of your feet touching the ground, the rhythm of your breath while moving, and the feeling of the wind against your face.
Pink Floyd – Marooned
Thomas Newman – Any Other Name
Brooke Benton – Rainy Night in Georgia
DJ Shah – Mellomaniac
There is no single relaxation technique that is best for everyone. When choosing a relaxation technique, consider your specific needs, preferences, fitness level, and the way you tend to react to stress. The right relaxation technique is the one that resonates with you, fits your lifestyle, and is able to focus your mind and interrupt your everyday thoughts in order to elicit the relaxation response. In many cases, you may find that alternating or combining different techniques will keep you motivated and provide you with the best results.