Ways to Relax

It's taken a few stressful, emotional life situations to realise that taking some time out is not just important for the mind, but also for the body. 

My body and mind have been through a lot off and on over the last few years, and it's not until you experience the type of stress that affects every part of you, that you realise how serious it can get.

Hands up, I'm not the most proactive person to admit that I need some time out - it can get to a point where I'm walking round like a zombie and crying at the fact we have no milk in the house until I realise I need to chill the f out!

I've been playing around with some ideas as to what relaxes me the most, so I thought I'd share them with you, and maybe they'll even help you out...

Have a bath

I'm starting to become a huge believer that giving yourself a pamper is perfect for your body as well as your mind. The best place to start for this, is running a bath.

Splash out on some nice bathing products, and jump in! Bring a book or listen to your favourite podcast whilst you lie back and relax. I try and have one of these evenings once a week - usually a Sunday. You’re relaxing on your own naked terms. Hell, light a few candles but only if you can relax without worrying that you're not going to set fire to your hair or the shower curtain.

Go for a walk

I've been lucky enough to live near the sea my whole life and for as long as I've been allowed out of the house on my own, I've always gone for a walk along the seafront and sat staring at the waves when life has felt a little stressful. Going for a walk, and getting some fresh air into your lungs works wonders. 

Heck, I even pop out of the office if I'm having a stressful day at work, and go for a walk round the block to clear my head. 

Unplugged

I’m on my computer all day long, and if I’m not on that, I’m scrolling through my phone. So when I get home, my brain needs a break. It's easy enough to sit at home in the evening staring at my phone or laptop, so I’ve been making an effort to unplug for a couple of hours. 

I’ll leave my phone in my bedroom for an hour or two and I’ll pick up a book or I'll hang out in the kitchen cooking dinner - anything that keeps me away from my social media. This has helped my sanity tremendously.

Getting comfortable

There’s nothing better than getting home from work and changing into a comfy t-shirt or my favourite pair of sweats. Changing out of my work clothes tells my brain that it’s time to relax, and that I can enjoy a few hours to myself, without the stress of work weighing on my shoulders.

What are your favourite ways to relax?