Today is Christmas, give your kindness to yourself
December 25th.
The city is sparkling, and you can hear someone laughing and smell the sweet smell of cake.
For some reason, my own feelings seem to be left behind.
Isn't that how you spend your Christmas?
On nights when the illuminations are dazzling, I strangely find myself feeling quiet inside.
"Everyone seems to be having fun, but I just feel tired."
It's okay to have moments when you realize that feeling, and there's no need to deny it.
Today I would like to introduce a book written by Yusuke Suzuki, a psychosomatic medicine doctor.
A psychiatrist teaches you how to truly rest
Here are some tips to help calm your mind and body.
Because it's Christmas,
Maybe it's a good idea to give a gift to yourself before anyone else.
■ Introduction
There are many books out there on how to "work hard,"
There are surprisingly few books that teach you how to take a break in detail.
When I hear that you're taking a break
"You should just go to sleep."
You might think so, but it's actually not that simple.
If you can't get rid of fatigue no matter how much you sleep, it may just be because you're resting in the wrong direction.
■ First, know who you are now
In the book, human conditions are broadly divided into three categories.
● Upper system (strong sympathetic nervous system)
- I feel uneasy around my chest.
- I feel uneasy somehow
- Tingling sensation in the body
- My head is spinning and I can't stop
● Downer system (dominant in the dorsal vagus nerve)
- Space out
- Difficulty opening eyes
- My back is rounding
- I can't get motivated
● Ideal state (ventral vagus nervous system)
- Breathing
- Light around the chest
- It's natural to think, "Maybe it's okay."
- I feel safe talking to someone
■ How to enter in the "reverse direction" according to the situation
Once you know where you are, try changing the direction of your arrangements a little.
● For upper styles, loosen it.
- Breathe slowly
- Quiet Music
- Lavender scent
- Make the room a little darker
- Hot tea
- Take a leisurely bath
● If it's a downer, give it a gentle stimulation.
- Tempo deep breathing
- Lemongrass and mint scent
- Exposure to outdoor light
- Walk a little
- Warming or cooling the body
■ “Safety mode” = Turning on the ventral vagus nerve
This is the place we most want to return to.
- Create a calm expression
- Try tilting your head a little
- Chew your food thoroughly
- Listening to songs and humming along
- Talk to someone you feel comfortable with
- Create a stress-free space
These actions tell your body that it's okay.
It's the kind of atmosphere you'd expect at home on Christmas night, listening to music and sipping a warm drink.
■ On Christmas Day, take a look at your own "switch"
Christmas is said to be a day to be kind to others.
But the person you should be kind to first is no one else but yourself.
"I can't laugh well today"
"You seem kind of tired."
If that's how you feel, there's no need to force yourself to get excited.
There are nights when the lights of the illuminations are too bright,
There are days when I just don't feel like eating cake.
It's totally okay to have days like that.
If you can't keep up with the specialness of Christmas,
Wouldn't it be nice to have a day to quietly get yourself in order?
■ A small Christmas gift for yourself
It's a good gift for someone,
This year, give yourself a gift.
- Time to breathe slowly
- A little bit of your favorite scent
- Hot drinks
- Gentle music
- A place where you don't have to try too hard
- A "relieved expression" that no one can see
That alone can make your body feel lighter.
Even Santa Claus, when his work is done
"Phew... let's get some rest."
You're supposed to drink cocoa.
There are plenty of reasons why you should take a break.
■ Conclusion
You've really worked hard this year.
I think I was also tired from pretending not to notice.
That's why, around this Christmas,
Please make a kind choice for yourself.
It's like a warm light is lit in your heart...
I hope that time will come.
Merry Christmas.
And really, thank you for your hard work.
