10 Easy Ways To Relax Your Mind And Body

Today (August 15th) is National Relaxation Day. Relaxation is the best form of self-care. It promotes a calmer mind and positive energy, which in turn makes you feel happier.

The events of 2020 have highlighted the need for all of us to prioritise our health and wellbeing. Self-care has taken on a whole new meaning. Taking it easy is no longer deemed unproductive, in fact, it’s essential to maintaining a healthy body and mind. As most of the nation continues to work from home, we all need to recharge as much as we possibly can.

Here are some things you can do to relax.

Journalling 

To some, journalling may feel like having a diary all over again, but this isn’t the case at all. What makes journaling meaningful is the purpose it serves. You can write down your favourite affirmations, personal thoughts or any fears/concerns you may have. If you needed another reason to start journalling, putting pen to paper is also proven to reduce stress. Something I’ve found helpful in my journalling journey is prompts. There are journal prompts for everything, so if you struggle to find inspiration, do some research online. I found some great prompts on Pinterest recently. Getting some nice new stationary always gives you motivation too. This personalised notebook from Etsy is perfect for journaling. 

Use an essential oil

Drink some herbal tea 

Herbal tea has so many benefits. Feel nauseous? Drink chamomile tea. Want to aid digestion? Drink peppermint tea. Want to lose weight? Drink green tea. Herbal tea is one of the healthiest drinks out there. If you want to observe an immediate difference in your body, then opt for a cup of herbal tea. Like most foods and drinks, not all herbal teas are pure, so check the list of ingredients to be sure that the tea is ‘100%’ or ‘pure’. Also, try herbal tea with loose leaves, as these types do tend to be pure but do your research before you part with your money. I’ve been drinking turmeric tea for the past few weeks and I love it. 

Try a face mask 

Face masks are one of the best ways to relax when you’re feeling stressed. There are so many out there to choose from, whatever your skin type. In these COVID-times, it’s ok to feel a little anxious about getting professional beauty treatments done, so facial masks are a great quick fix. I really like sheet face masks because of their deep-cleaning properties. Yes To’s Detoxifying Charcoal Paper Mask cleans the skin’s surface, leaving it looking bright and clear. With ingredients such as green tea and tomato, you won’t be on the receiving end of anything less than radiant and beautiful skin. If you’re looking for something more than a quick fix, then you can get a facial that takes your skin’s specific needs into consideration. If you live or are visiting the area, you can search online for a facial near me in San Antonio, TX to find an affordable and rejuvenating treatment near you.

Get a massage 

In addition to making you feel good, massages have so many other benefits such as improved circulation, flexibility, the relaxation of muscle tension and skin tone. I love massages because of how calming they are. In the moment, anything on my mind just disappears. As someone who spends a lot of time on their computer with work and writing, having regular massages are essential. If you haven’t plucked up the courage to go to the spa yet, you can always massage your pressure points such as the back of the neck, your lower back etc with an essential oil of your choice. It’s not ideal but if you are in pain or experiencing feelings of discomfort, an at-home massage will provide quick relief. For those of you who are ready to be out and about, this Aromatherapy Full Body Massage will appeal to you.

Meditate 

I haven’t meditated in weeks but as someone who was introduced to meditation three years ago, I can honestly say that it has had a hugely positive impact on my life and it’s one of the best relaxation techniques. If you would like to learn about the benefits of meditation, you can read this post I wrote a few years ago. When it comes to mindful meditation, don’t expect to get it right the first time. It will take a while for it to work for you. I’ve had moments where I’ve listened to a meditation video or podcast and I’ve had to stop because it just wasn’t right for me, so be open to trying different things. There are lots of different meditation techniques to try including body scanning, focussed attention and noting. At the moment, I’m really enjoying Purely Being meditations, which you can find on Spotify.

Have a binge-watch 

We all need to learn how to do a big binge-watch without feeling guilty. If you’re taking it easy, while eating your favourite snacks and binge-watching a show on Netflix or Prime, that’s ok. It’s ok to take time out. It’s ok to rest. It’s ok to honour your body. Binge-watching isn’t something that everyone has the capacity to do obsessively anyway, so if you want to do it, just do it. What makes binge-watching so appealing and relaxing is the idea of taking a break from your own world and daily life and immersing yourself in someone else’s. What shows have you binge-watched recently? Feel free to share your recommendations below.

Cook 

This is one of the easiest ways to relax – pretty much anyone can do it. You don’t even need to go all out, just work with what you have in your fridge and cupboards. I’m that cook who makes the kinds of food that’s ready in 30-45 minutes. I know how to cook, but I’m a little lazy with it. When I cook, I enjoy it. I put some music on, have a glass of wine and just have fun. If you’d like to learn how to cook more dishes, then why not try out a subscription service. Simply Cook are currently selling a £3 trial box, which is great because you can experiment with some great ingredients without having to commit to anything permanent.

Take a walk 

Walks were definitely underrated pre-lockdown. For those who work in office environments, going to the shop to get something to eat was classified as getting some air which it isn’t really, you’re going out because you need to. Walking is a great way to improve and maintain your health. What I love about it is being able to appreciate the present. When I’m out and about, I look for five things I can see. It’s a really helpful way of appreciating my surroundings and not getting overwhelmed.

Exercise 

I can’t stress enough about how important exercise is for your health and wellbeing. Just getting your heart rate going and your blood pumping is good for both mental and physical health. The good thing about exercise is that there are so many different types out there: HIIT, yoga, kickboxing, weight training. The list is endless so there’s bound to be something to suit you. Even going for a walk, as I mentioned above, is exercise. Pre-lockdown, I would go to the gym on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and I’d always do a class. When lockdown happened, I wasn’t sure how I was going to stay active, but I’m glad that I’ve been able to find some exercises that I like such as Yoga, Tae Bo and Zumba. Lots of gyms and personal trainers have been running classes online over Zoom. To anyone who is finding it difficult to exercise, try lots of different things so that you can find something that works for you and your body. What are your favourite exercises? Let me know in the comments.

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through the links provided. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post. What do you do to relax? I love hearing from you all, so do leave a comment below xo