Active Relaxation: How to Overcome Your Beliefs

Active Relaxation: How to Overcome Your Beliefs

17.01.2025

Learning to relax: Interview with Susanne Feldt

Susanne is one of the founders of hermaid, a digital product developer and self-confessed workaholic. In our conversation, she tells us how she manages the balancing act between intensive work phases and pleasant relaxation.

Susanne, you describe yourself as a workaholic. Tell us a bit more about that?

S: I just enjoy work! I find fulfillment in it and love designing and driving things forward. And working on hermaid in particular is really fulfilling. I want to change the healthcare system and empower women to do more for themselves. My work is my passion. Before founding hermaid, I often worked all day long - even at weekends. As a self-employed person, it's often the case that every extra hour of work means more money. I had often taken two months off to unwind. But over time, I realized that despite all the joy, I needed breaks.

How do you relax today? What has changed?

S: I have learned to be more conscious of how I use my energy. Today, yoga is an important part of my routine. On days when I don't have the energy for dynamic movement, I do Yin Yoga - this is a type of active stretching that relaxes the body without overtaxing it. Sound baths and meditation are also part of my life now. They help me to clear my head. The stress level as a founder is extremely high, but stress is a mindset.

I have also discovered how scents can affect me. A friend, Luise Walther, a neurocentric trainer, brought this to my attention. Now I use essential oils specifically to either relax or refresh myself. I currently use sandalwood oil as a skincare product. The scent is warm and calming. Citrus scents are invigorating. So if you are tired at work, consciously smelling these scents can help put you in a certain state. I will be writing an article about this soon, as I was traveling in India and learned more about aromatherapy there.

You mentioned that watching TV isn't relaxing for you. So no Netflix & Chill? What do you do instead?

S: Exactly, TV is not really relaxing for me, although I really enjoy watching films. But my screen time is already so high because of my computer job. I'm the tactile type: I love cooking or gardening. Both give me the feeling that I'm really doing something that grounds me - in the truest sense of the word. When I put my hands in the soil or dough, it brings me back to the here and now. It's a different kind of activity, but one that makes me relaxed and happy at the same time.
We also often confuse distraction with relaxation. An evening on the couch with Netflix can feel good, but it's usually not really relaxing. It's important to find a balance between passive and active relaxation. I think you should live your own life actively rather than talk about the stories of TV characters with your friends. But who am I to judge? If I had a job that required me to stand all day, I would also want to put my feet up in the evening.

You mentioned that you have to allow yourself to relax. What do you mean by that?

S: It's often down to our beliefs. We live in a society that puts productivity above everything else. This means that many people feel guilty if they don't do anything "meaningful". But relaxation is not a waste of time! It's important to keep reminding ourselves of this. It's perhaps something our parents showed us.

Both of my parents are always doing things. My father worked extremely hard. And I was taught that hard work is rewarded. But I don't believe that anymore.

I think professional relationships are more effective when combined with a relaxed self. Because when I am balanced, I can actively listen, and that is an important skill for leading and developing solutions.

What is the difference between passive and active relaxation?

Susanne: Passive relaxation is what we typically call "chilling" - watching TV, lying on the sofa, just letting things wash over you. That has its place, but it's often not enough to really switch off.

Susanne in Norwegen

Active relaxation means consciously doing something that calms you down and gives you energy. This can be yoga, a walk in nature, journaling, or something creative like painting or cooking. The important thing is that you get in touch with yourself.
In fact, I find that letting off steam is also a type of relaxation. There is nothing better than falling into bed completely exhausted after swimming.

How do you find out what is really good for you?

S: The key is to be honest with yourself and try out what really helps you. Ask yourself: When do I feel really refreshed? What calms me down? That depends on the individual.

I also recommend looking at the different dimensions of recovery: physical, mental, emotional, creative, social, and spiritual. Yoga might help you recover physically, but for emotional recovery, you need time with friends or alone. For example, I sometimes need time for myself and silence to unwind. My partner, on the other hand, really recharges when he is around people. We often only notice how much tension we have in our bodies when we consciously relax.

Do you have any advice for people struggling with the “tyranny of productivity”?

S: Yes! Be kind to yourself. It's okay to do "nothing" sometimes. And it's important to see that as valuable. Rest is not a luxury, but a necessity - for body, mind, and soul. Find small rituals that relax you and incorporate them into your everyday life. And above all: stop justifying breaks. I used to often look enviously at the smokers who were constantly taking breaks and standing on the balcony and chatting. But who says I can't do that without a cigarette? It's actually good for the eyes to look into the distance sometimes.

You are a menopause expert, do you want to say anything else on this topic?

S: Haha, I'm not a menopause counselor. I work to provide information to people seeking advice. I've read a lot of papers, but it would be arrogant to say that I'm an expert.
One factor that specialists often emphasize, however, is stress. Hot flashes, for example, are worse when I'm uncomfortable. Sleep is the key to our health.

During menopause, it is important to listen to your body and give it the relaxation it needs. Relaxation techniques can help reduce stress hormones and restore balance. Getting enough sleep and a healthy lifestyle also help reduce stress.
What many women underestimate is the language of their body. Tiredness, sleep problems, heart palpitations - these are all warning signs that we should take seriously. Unfortunately, many women ignore these signals and simply accept their symptoms.

With hermaid we want to help women better understand their bodies and develop strategies to actively manage their hormones and well-being.

Conclusion: actively allow relaxation

Susanne shows that it is possible to work a lot and still find time for relaxation - if you have the courage to take your own needs seriously. Whether it's yoga, meditation or working with your hands in the garden - find your way to actively relax!

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Our digital course " Menopause Basic" gives you tools and techniques to actively do something good for yourself. Visit our app to find out more: https://app.hermaid.me/https://app.hermaid.me/

hermaid is offered as an employee benefits program to support women in menopause:

If you convince your employer to offer hermaid in your company, the service is free for you.

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