| The stress of modern life can be overwhelming. | | | | will increase this experience. If you only use them |
| When you have too much on your mind, your body | | | | when you need a bit of relaxation, they will maintain |
| produces excess stress hormones like adrenaline, | | | | their size. Aromatherapy candles can also be helpful. |
| non-adrenaline, and an adrenal-cortex hormone. | | | | You can get them in colors to match your walls, and |
| Additionally, your body experiences other changes. | | | | the scent can be very soothing, as can the gentle, |
| Your heart rate increases, your blood pressure goes | | | | flickering light. Bath oils can add to the experience. |
| up, your respiration levels change, you begin to | | | | You can make your own by combining your favorite |
| sweat, and you become unable to process your food | | | | essence oils, or you can purchase prepared scents |
| because digestion shuts down. While moving or any | | | | that you enjoy. Add some music to your retreat by |
| type of physical action can slow or even stop the | | | | placing a media player away from the water source. |
| effects of stress, sitting at your desk or in the car | | | | Keep some relaxing music in the player, and you've |
| simply causes all of the stress reactions in your body | | | | got an instant soothe. If you plan to take a bath, |
| to continue. At some point, your body becomes so | | | | draw it ten minutes before you want to get in. That |
| full of the stress reactions; you can't handle the | | | | will give the bathtub time to heat up. All of these |
| simplest of daily tasks. This is the time to retreat | | | | simple changes to your bathroom will make it a great |
| from the everyday stress of life. | | | | everyday retreat. |
| A good retreat doesn't have to mean vacation. It | | | | Another way to retreat from everyday life without |
| can simply mean finding a room in your house you | | | | even leaving is mediation. Mediation offers an inner |
| enjoy and spending some quality time there. For | | | | retreat. Simple meditation can be undertaken |
| many people, this room is their bathroom. While | | | | wherever you happen to be at the time. You can |
| bathrooms used to be purely useful in nature, today's | | | | even carry on your day-to-day tasks while being in a |
| designs and accessories have changed the | | | | meditative state of mind. For meditation beginners, |
| bathroom's image. One option for turning your | | | | however, it is best if you practice mediation in a quiet |
| bathroom into a stress relief center is to change your | | | | place before you attempt to undertake it with |
| shower head. Some deliver water massages. Others | | | | distractions present. Begin by finding a place where |
| create a steam room right in your bathroom. | | | | you will not be disturbed. It works best if you sit on |
| Additionally, most shower heads are now adjustable, | | | | the floor, but you can do it anywhere you feel |
| which helps because people aren't all the same size. If | | | | comfortable. Classic mediation takes place on the |
| you want a retreat, it's nice to finally have one that | | | | floor with a pillow. If you intend to mediate with your |
| fits you as a person. Bath seats are also popular now. | | | | eyes closed, be sure there is enough light present in |
| Because people work such long hours, most of them | | | | the room to keep you from sleeping. The whole |
| don't want to be on their feet any longer than they | | | | intention of mediation is to examine your thoughts on |
| have to. With the proper sized shower head, it is | | | | a deeper level, and sleeping will interfere with that. |
| possible to sit on a comfortable bath seat and enjoy | | | | The most basic thing to do to get started is nothing. |
| your style without putting additional pressure on your | | | | Simply relax and do nothing. Become aware of your |
| feet. | | | | breathing and let your thoughts free you. Stop |
| In addition to changing the equipment like the shower | | | | examining the world as a series of disconnected |
| head, there are a number of other easy fixes to | | | | events and look at the entire things a connective |
| make your bathroom the retreat you've always | | | | circle. It is important with beginning mediation to avoid |
| wanted. It is important to paint your bathroom walls | | | | the use of mantras. They will only force you to lose |
| a soft, soothing color. Pastels like pale lilac, soothing | | | | your focus on yourself. |
| blue or gentle greens will make it seem like the | | | | Stress is, at times, overwhelming. It is important to |
| perfect, comforting space. Oversized one hundred | | | | find everyday retreats that allow you to relax and let |
| percent cotton towels with your preferred thickness | | | | go of your worldly troubles. |