Six Ways To Relax and Unwind

I’ve had the most stressful couple of weeks I’ve endured in a long time and it’s reminded me how much I need to listen to others when they tell me to chill. It’s impossible to run at 100% the entire time and boy do I know the importance of listening to my mind and body now. I guess sometimes we just need to hit the pause button, take a step back and focus on number one and if you think that’s overdue, here are some of my favourite ways to relax and unwind.

Treat yourself to a spa day

[AD – PR Trip] A trip to the spa always seems like such a treat doesn’t it? But it really is the one stop shop to a day of total relaxation and an opportunity for your brain to switch off. I was lucky enough to be invited to Bridgewood Manor Hotel and Spa near Chatham a few weeks ago and I cannot stress how much it came at the right time. A massage*, dip in the pool, lounge on the heated beds and afternoon tea was just what the doctor ordered! It’s definitely made me realise how much a spa day can help you forget about all the stresses and worries of  everyday life.

* I can’t recommend the Revitalising Ritual enough. My masseuse was Bobby who was so lovely and if I could afford a body scrub and back massage from her every week, I would!

Run a bath

The next best option if a spa day isn’t on the cards is to run yourself a nice, hot, bubble bath. I’ve always been more of a shower gal but if everything is going tits up around me, the first thing I do is turn that hot water tap on, scrape my hair up and get ready for an hour long session of watching trash TV in the bath. I swear it’s one of the best ways to relax! Make sure you’ve always got some relaxing bubble bath, a shit load of candles and a big glass of water (or wine) on hand and you’re good to go. Cue relaxation.

Take a break from your phone

The last few weeks have truly shown me how time-consuming and stress-inducing technology and social media can be. Putting your phone down even for an hour can make you appreciate the smaller things in life which don’t come in the form of likes or WhatsApp notifications.

Do some exercise

Sometimes a run on the treadmill is the absolute last thing I want to do when I’m stressed but it’s amazing what physical activity can do. Whether it’s half an hour of yoga, an intense HIIT workout at home or even just taking the dog for a walk, it can totally clear your mind and enable you to reset so you can either focus on something different or carry on unwinding and switching off.

Try some colouring

Okay I’ll be honest in saying that colouring is an activity I judged a few years ago when it started getting hyped up but I totally get it now. There’s something so therapeutic about it and if you don’t want to spend the money on a whole book, there are tonnes of printable pages on Pinterest.

Enjoy a cuppa

One of the simplest ways of relaxing is to pop the kettle on and pour yourself a nice cuppa. How typically British! Although I must put my hands up and say I don’t actually drink hot drinks so I feel like a fraud typing this BUT I’ve heard so much over the years about the healing properties of an English breakfast tea (or whatever brew you fancy).

What do you find the most helpful ways to relax and unwind?