The importance of relaxing 

Let’s look at an example

Buthaina : no time, no energy
Buthaina takes care of her husband Bakhit  who has dementia. She feels increasingly tense.

A friend advises her to try to relax and not ask too much of herself. Buthaina  tells her friend that she does not have the time or energy to relax. Her friend explains that there are ways to relax that do not take much time, and that relaxing might give Buthaina renewed energy that could help her get tasks done more easily.

Buthaina  succeeds in relaxing

Buthaina  decides to follow her friend’s advice and tries the breathing exercise her friend showed her.

When Buthaina  sees her friend again she says: “Thank you for the good advice. Although I still have a lot to do, I feel less tense”. Buthaina decides to do the breathing exercise every time she is feeling tense.

Remember

Relaxation:
  • makes you feel less tense.
  • might give you renewed energy.
  • may make it easier to get tasks done, and does not have to take much time.