Let's Relax

Ladies (and gentleman if you're out there!), let's relax shall we?  

I think everyone has their own way to relax.  Some people want a long bath.  Some people curl up with a book.  Some people even go for a long run.  I'll let you guess which one I don't particularly subscribe to.....

So here's a few methods that I employ on the regular to unwind and relax when I'm feeling a bit harried.  


1.  Tea- Oh I think perhaps there's nothing as soothing as a good cup of tea.  Lately, I haven't gone a night without my Mango Chamomile tea before bed.  Chamomile is a mild sedative and by the end of my daily cup, I'm yawning and ready for bed.  Placebo or not, I don't care, I sleep like a baby.  

2.  Bed of Nails Acupressure- Ok, perhaps this is a strange one for some people.  I get it.  It's weird.  But it's also ah-maz-ing.  It's a foam mat comprised of thousands of tiny plastic nails, providing gentle even pressure when you lay on it.  It's a bit weird at first.  In fact, you might feel some warmth all along your back for the first few minutes before being lulled into deep relaxation.  This has become another daily ritual for me.  I spend ten minutes on the mat before bed and I've been sleeping noticeably better lately.  A great affordable investment for your physical and mental health!

3.  DIY Facial-  Facials do not need to happen only at spas and cost a fortune.  Taking even 10 mins to steam your face (just use a recently boiled pot of water and hold your face above and place a towel over you head and the pot to capture the steam.  It should feel like gentle warmth so be sure not to get too close to the pot) or apply a mask can be enough to provide a few minutes of pampering relaxation.  Sure, there are plenty of pricey masks out there but there are also lovely affordable options too.  I especially like Freeman Masks and have practically half the line.  There are even cheaper DIY masks made of household ingredients and are just as effective.  

4.  Yoga- I've certainly used yoga as a workout quite a bit but there are plenty of practices designed for relaxation, de-stressing, or "bedtime" yoga.  Often times,  the routines are only a matter of few minutes but can do wonders to provide the mindset you need to let go of the day's stress and focus on those peaceful minutes on the mat.  I highly recommend Yoga with Adriene on YouTube.  She has an amazing variety of videos and a welcoming personality.  

So what do you do to relax?