If you have had a very busy day, it’s important to take some time to unwind and destress. Here are three relaxation methods you can experiment with and that can help bring you back into balance.

Practice mindfulness 

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present. This means living in the moment and being aware of where you are and what you are doing. Mindful activity can be very simple to integrate into your routine. This can be as simple as mindfully eating your evening meal. To do so, turn off the tv and all distractions in the background and appreciate the food you’re eating. If you’re looking for other mindful activities to help you unwind, adult colouring might be for you. As you colour, your brain experiences relief by entering into a meditative state, plus it’s real good fun! 

Here is a little mindfulness exercise that you can practice in every situation. This exercise is called the “Five senses exercise”. Follow these five steps in order and you’ll reach a mindful state in minutes:

• Notice five things that you can see.

Look around you and bring your attention to five things that you can see; look for details you wouldn’t normally notice.

• Notice four things that you can feel.

Bring awareness to four things that you are currently feeling, like the texture of your pants, the feeling of the breeze on your skin.

• Notice three things you can hear.

Take a moment to listen, and note three noises that you hear in the background. This can be birds singing outside, the car on the streets or the hum of the refrigerator.

• Notice two things you can smell.

Bring your awareness to smells that you usually filter out; these could be the pleasant smells of fresh cut grass or the unpleasant small of a traffic jam outside.

• Notice one thing you can taste.

Focus on one thing that you can taste right now, at this moment; notice the current taste in your mouth whether this is your last sip of drink or a gum you were chewing.

Set aside some “me-time”

The typical high-speed and high-pressure living that comes from rushing between one task and the next on a busy day is what leads to high stress levels. Switching off this “autopilot” mode often needs to come from an intentional decision. Taking time to recharge your batteries is essential, not only on a physical but also on a mental level. Make a conscious effort in scheduling this time for yourself and make a list of activities that you can fit into your routine. These activities can look different for everyone, their end goal is to help you feel more relaxed. They can be as simple as spending the evening curled up with a good book or taking yourself off for a walk to watch the sunset. Ask yourself “what do I need most right now”? And tailor your activity to the type of self-care you need the most. It could be that you need emotional self-care, physical or mental.. or maybe all of them!

If you feel very overwhelmed mentally make sure to journal your thoughts. Journaling is a powerful tool that can help you process your emotions and put things into perspective. If you feel very emotionally challenged you can connect with a loved one. Sometimes a good chat with a friend can be only one phone call away. Or maybe you feel very agitated and restless. Going for a run or a swim can give you the chance to think about your day while having a positive effect on your body.

Make your bedroom a safe space 

Make sure your bedroom is a place of rest and relaxation. A safe space that you gladly come back to and supports wellbeing. This will also support your rest and your night sleep.

Here are some tips to make sure your bedroom a relaxing place to go back to:

• Keep it tidy

This may sound like a predictable suggestion, but going back to a clean space can have infinite benefits in bringing you back to a state of clarity and relaxation. In a fresh and organised space, there’s less overwhelm to your senses. 

• Keep your bedsheets fresh

Being able to wrap yourself up in fresh and soft bedsheets can bring you the type of physical comfort that you need in order to improve your mood and mindset after a long day.

• Light your favourite candles

Candles are a very simple addition to your bedroom that can make a whole lot of difference. They are  great for stressful times and lighting one you love before you fall asleep can be very soothing.

What are your favourite ways to relax after a busy day? Come and let me know at @iam_sofiaelena! :) 

Meet the author

Sofia, Founder at My Self-Love Supply

Sofia founded My Self-Love Supply in the spring of 2019. She's deeply passionate about self-care, wellness and the digital world - which is why My Self-Love Supply was born.  You can connect with Sofia at   @iam_sofiaelena on Instagram.