The document provides an A-Z guide of relaxation techniques. It suggests that aromatherapy, candles, bathing, exfoliation, herbal tea, imagination, journaling, laughter, meditation, napping, volunteering, planning ahead, quiet time, refreshing surroundings, sounds, therapy, unwinding on the sofa, walking, yoga and achieving a zen-like state of mind can all help with relaxation. A variety of relaxing activities are described ranging from scents, bath products, food and drinks to mindful practices and spending time in nature.
2. Aromatherapy has been practised for thousands of years and
is thought to date back to the ancient Egyptian era. As we
explored and discovered new herbs, their medicinal uses
were of great interest. It was soon found that the calming
essence of lavender and the awakening scent of citrus could
have profound effects on the body.
The signature scent you choose for your home needs to be
carefully considered. Something like a blood orange-scented
Culti diffuser would be great for bringing life to a communal
area. On the other hand, a warming Paddywax pumpkin spice
candle is great for winter nights spent curled up on the sofa.
3. Hot water eases every aching muscle in
your body, preparing you for a good night’s
sleep. Bathing is a relaxing activity that
has been used throughout the years.
These days there are plenty of potions to
use in the tub that will enhance your
relaxation, but don’t underestimate the
power of plain water.
Those suffering from arthritis or sports
injuries may benefit from a quick dunk in
the bath to aid recovery. The heat is a
natural pain relief.
BATHING
4. CANDLESThe gentle flicker of a scented candle is sure to set the
mood in any home. The best candles combine the art of
aromatherapy with a calming sense of natural light. Make
sure you purchase high quality candles to achieve the
ultimate state of calm.
How to choose the best candle:
Soy wax - This offers a lasting burn time for a longer
lasting candle.
Go natural – If you have a choice between natural or
synthetic candles, the former should win every time.
Essential oils - Choose a candle with high-grade quality
oils, as opposed to synthetics. The smell will linger for
longer. Synthetic candles don’t have lasting fragrance.
5. DREAMING
It’s no secret that a good night’s sleep is the key to success in life. We
need good quality sleep to recharge our bodies after a gruelling day,
giving us the best shot at achieving tomorrow’s goals.
If you’re suffering from disrupted sleep, which is impacting your day-to-
day life, there’s a good chance that underlying anxieties are worming
their way into your relaxed state. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
The Sleep Council found that 4 in 5 people suffer from disturbed or
inadequate sleep.
Ask yourself these key questions to help correct your sleep:
1) Is there a problem with your environment?
2) Is there something on your mind?
3) Have you spoken to your doctor?
Pictured: Mayfair bedding
6. EXFOLIATION
Nothing beats a good scrub in the tub. Not only do
we instantly feel cleaner, the act of rubbing away
dead skin can be strangely therapeutic. Regular
washing is often not enough to tackle the build-up
of everyday life. Choose natural exfoliates, such as
salt and ground coffee, to avoid harmful plastic
bead varieties.
Getting rid of dead skin and dirt can signify a fresh
start and a renewed sense of vigour. You’ll instantly
feel more relaxed with buffed smooth skin.
7. FOOD
Whilst it may be tempting to reach for the junk
food, what we eat can have a direct impact
on our state of mind.
When we feel down, many of us resort to
comfort eating. Whilst it may make you feel
better at first, the long-term effects are not as
soothing. If you eat too many sweet treats,
the subsequent sugar crash can actually
cause a spell of minor depression. Your mood
will go from high to low in an instant.
Instead, choose natural goodies to snack on
when you feel low. You’ll feel much better in
the long run.
8. GRATITUDE LIST
Focusing on the positives allows us to take back control of
our anxieties. Those who describe themselves as negative
may find it particularly hard to relax. This is due to a self-
fulfilling prophecy that keeps them stuck in their ways.
Take a moment to write down all of the positive things that
have happened to you lately, including those little things you
may have overlooked. These will help you regain your
optimism and chase away negative thoughts.
9. HERBALTEA
The typical British answer to many of life’s problems is to
pop the kettle on. However, swapping your standard milk
and two sugars for something herbal could enhance
your relaxation. Camomile tea in particular has been a
popular choice for those wanting to unwind before bed.
The sweet fragrance and medicinal properties instantly
calm you down.
Camomile tea has been used for years to ease
headaches, soothe the stomach and treat mild anxieties.
Even just the smell as you take a sip is enough to lift the
weight off your shoulders. Avoiding caffeine is also
recommended if you’re feeling anxious.
10. IMAGINATION
When you’re struggling to relax, you may find yourself
suffering from ‘what if’ syndrome and curse your own
imagination. However, you must force yourself to steer
away from the negative thoughts.
Many believe in the law of attraction, whereby if you
imagine positive thoughts then they will happen to you.
Try this yourself at home by laying back and imagining
the best possible outcome for any of your woes. By
doing this, you may even come across a solid solution
to any issues.
11. JOURNEY
When was the last time you travelled? It doesn’t have to
be to a faraway foreign land. Even a little trip to a nearby
town can help us escape our everyday routine.
Plan a little journey for yourself to explore somewhere
you’ve never been before. Visiting a new environment can
instantly provide you with a renewed sense of vigour and
energy. A place where no one knows your name presents
us with a temporary fresh start to ease our mind.
12. KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON
This old saying is an affirmation that many of us use without
even realising. An affirmation is when we say something out
loud, triggering a psychological response. For example, if you
say you’re having a bad day, you may continue to think that way
throughout the day.
‘Keep calm and carry on’ helps you to save face during the hard
times and reminds us that in most cases there are more
important tasks at hand to focus on. Try not to take life too
seriously!
13. LAUGHTER
Whether you scour the internet for cat
videos or call a loved one for a chat,
laughing often truly is the best medicine. It
takes our mind off negative thoughts and
lulls us into a relaxed state of mind.
Not only that, but studies have proven that
regular laughter can help regulate your
blood flow. The blood vessels of those who
laugh more expand and contract easily. On
the other hand, if they tense up your blood
flow could be restricted.
14. MEDITATION
Often regarded as the highest degree of relaxation,
meditation connects you with a deep state of
mindfulness. By regulating our breathing pattern and
sitting calmly, you can reach a peaceful state. The key is
to focus and stop your mind from wandering.
Many may find it hard to concentrate on not thinking of
anything, purely because there’s always something on
our minds. It’s how we process general day-to-day life.
If you’re a beginner, lay flat on the floor and focus on
your breathing. Listen as air goes in and out. Dedicate
20 minutes to laying quietly each day and watch as you
slowly become better at shutting off.
15. NAPPINGWhilst this may seem like something a child
would do, you should not underestimate the
power of a quick nap. A brief nap can help you
feel refreshed when you have a long day or night
ahead. If you’re struggling to make it through the
day, just 40 minutes spent napping could help you
relax and then carry on with your day.
Make sure it’s only 40 minutes, though! Anything
longer and you may fall into a deep sleep.
Disrupting this level of sleep may make you feel
worse once you’ve woken up.
16. We often overlook the positive impact that can be
felt from doing good for others. Relaxation isn’t just
about giving yourself a break, it’s about making a
positive change for others too.
Volunteering, making a donation or getting
involved with a charity event; these acts validate
the human need to care for one another.
Subconsciously they help to calm our anxieties by
keeping us humble and grounded.
You’ll find it much easier to sit back and relax if
you know that your good deed for the day is done!
OPEN
HANDEDNESS
17. PLAN AHEAD
Have you ever made a bucket list? There are
often so many things we want to do in life, but
never get chance to as we’re stuck in a routine.
Plan ahead to achieve these goals and live your
life to the full. Planning little adventures gives us
a sense of clarity. You may notice that even
when times are tough, if you have a plan of how
to change things you can often shrug off the
negative impact of the problem.
Whether it’s a holiday, a new challenge or
simply a new routine that will help you in day-to-
day activities, take a moment to plan ahead. It’ll
leave you with less to worry about when the
time comes to relax!
18. QUIETTIME
Turning life’s volume down can instantly clear our minds. Being
at peace can help you to unwind as you forget the rush of
everyday life. With nothing to distract you, this would be the
perfect opportunity for you to try out our meditation tips, or you
could simply enjoy the peace and quiet.
Dedicate a room of your home to peace and quiet. You’ll instantly
feel awash with calm every time you set foot in there.
19. If you’re sick of being stuck behind the same four
walls, liberate yourself! This doesn’t mean
uprooting yourself and moving elsewhere. Just a
touch of interior design magic can give you a new
space to relax and unwind.
We often inadvertently use psychological anchors
that cause sudden drops in our mood. If you’re in a
room that you commonly feel down and anxious in,
you may associate the space with that feeling. By
refreshing your surroundings, you’re ridding
yourself of these psychological anchors and giving
yourself a blank canvas to relax in.
REFRESHYOUR
SURROUNDINGS
20. SOUNDS
Sometimes we need to relax, but we don’t
have the time to take ourselves away from our
daily duties. In this case, many of us resort to
a meditation soundtrack.
This could be the sound of crashing waves,
birdsong or even heavy rain. These natural
sounds give us a sense of being at one with
nature. Even if you are active with another
task, you may find that this new sensation
helps you to focus and get into a rhythm of
work.
21. THERAPY
There are plenty of alternative therapies that
can help you on your way to relaxation. From
Indian head massage to reflexology, there are
a wealth of experiences that can take your
mind to a place of tranquillity.
The NHS warns that users should be wary of
experiencing a placebo effect, but in the case
of relaxation it can be perfectly safe to explore
your options as long as there are no physical
risks. Why not visit your local spa or recreate
the vibe with our stunning range of luxury
bathroom accessories?
22. UNWIND ONTHE
SOFA
Ditch the gadgets and stop bringing work home with you. It can
be hard to unwind after a long day, but once you get into a
routine your home will instantly relax you. Here’s our top tips to
help you unwind:
Avoid blue light - Turn off your phone and don’t open your
laptop. Blue light has been proven to disrupt your circadian
rhythm, reduce melatonin production and make it harder for
you to sleep at night.
Curl up in comfort - Change into a comfy pair of pyjamas as
soon as you get home. Make sure there is a stack of cosy
cushions saving your spot on the sofa and sink into a new level
of comfort.
Cut the caffeine - Avoid drinking coffee after 2pm and you’ll feel
much less anxious towards the end of the day.
23. VANITY DIGITAL
DETOX
Ever get the urge to send a ‘humble brag’ out to
everyone on Facebook? Tempted to Tweet about
how something is going to boost your mood?
Don’t!
You don’t need to tell other people how chilled out
you are in order to feel that way. In fact, when
logging into your social media accounts you’re
likely to see a plethora of people doing exactly the
same. FOMO (fear of missing out) will instantly
strike us down when we log on. Seeing all of our
friends getting together whilst we scroll the
internet certainly isn’t going to relax the mind.
Take a break from the online world and let your
mind escape.
24. WALKING
Don’t just let your mind wander. Walking
around your hometown or even a new area
can instantly help to clear your
subconscience.
Less taxing than going to the gym, a gentle
walk can keep you active without getting
your heart racing. You don’t have to go far,
but to walk somewhere and be at peace
with yourself for just a moment will help.
Focus on the sights, sounds and scents of
your surroundings and take everything in,
leaving negative thoughts behind in your
wake.
25. XOXO
Sign off a little handwritten letter with the loving
criss cross of xoxo. Free handwriting is the
perfect way to relax and heal the mind, whether
you actually post your letter or not.
A technique used by many psychologists is the
gratitude letter. This is an exercise where you
write letters to those who have helped you along
the way and shown particular kindness to you. It
helps us to appreciate the positive things in life.
Alternatively, a letter to your future self is an
incredible way to focus the mind on what you’d
like to achieve. Perhaps in 5 years’ time you’ll be
able to read the letters back and see how far
you’ve come.
26. YOGA
The practise of yoga for health and mental
wellbeing transcends generations. The NHS
recommends this ancient practise to improve
balance and build strength. An accessible
therapy for all, there are no age limits for yoga
and plenty of beginner classes on offer.
Stretching muscles you perhaps didn’t even
know you had, yoga helps to ease tension in
the body that could be built up by anxiety.
27. ZEN
If you’ve followed all of our A-Z guide
correctly, we hope you’ll now be feeling a
little more ‘zen’ and at peace with the world!
