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Relax – Our Top Ten Tips

Simply Relaxing, as the name suggests if all about helping you relax and let go of everything for a little while but it is becoming clear to me that the last 18 months has taken its toll in many ways and I want to help. Here are my Top Ten Tips:

1 – Spending time outside with nature is very calming, many of you know that I am a big fan of hugging a big old tree but actually there is a little science behind my mad suggestion! A tree is anchored to the earth, therefore it creates a “grounding” effect which helps to release oxytocin, which is the hormone that help calm and relaxes you. Simply the action of hugging releases serotonin and dopamine which are feel-good hormones into your bloodstream. Did you know that if you struggle with upper body muscle tension, this act of hugging a tree stretches the upper body muscles. I am a Reiki therapist and believe that a tree is also anchored into the Universal Life Force, not religious at all, pure natural energy, it can only do you good.

2 – Enjoying a bath eases muscular tension, the warmth of the water soothes and calms nerve endings. Set the scene, light your candle (Helpmeorganics soy candles of course!), and put a little Epsom Salts. This is not a salt but a magnesium compound, Magnesium is very calming. Double-check on the packet if you have high blood pressure first.

3 – Back outside again, walking is very soothing and allows your brain to switch off even just for 15 minutes. You will find you start striding out then as you walk, your pace will slow as will your thoughts. Try walking in a natural surroundings to hear the birds and see the trees.

4 – I am a big fan of Mindfulness meditation. This doesn’t have to be crossed-legged on the floor, simply sitting still, noticing your breathing but not attempting to force anything allows your brain to switch off as all the focus is on your breath. This is a practise so try to do it regularly and you will look forward to your little bit of quiet.

5 – Of course, I am going to add having a massage, reflexology and/or a facial to this list but any Holistic treatment works on your Central Nervous System, soothing your parasympathetic nervous system which allows everything to calm. I use organic essential oils to help achieve relaxation.

6 – Include essential oils into your daily life. You choose how you do this but I love to use different scents for different rooms. In the bedroom, I suggest using a calming, destressing blend, either “help me, it’s way past my bedtime” or “help me have a mindful of calm”. Both are made with mind calming oils. Whereas in the living room, you want something uplifting but calming, I suggest either “help me feel fresh as a daisy” or “help me, apparently I need to chill out”, the scent is not quite as sleep inducing as the other two. If you are working from home, try using “help me they say exercise is good for you” in your office space, motivating, focusing and energising. You choose how you use the blends whether its a candle, room spray or essential oil blend.

7 – Catch up with friends and family. We have all craved this and realise just how important time with people we love is. So even though the restrictions are lifting, I would still suggest on a sunny day, meeting in the garden so that everyone is relaxed and happy. But, masks on, have a big hug, physical contact is so very important for relaxing us.

8 – Have a good sing. This is one of my favourites, if I’m feeling a little fed up, I pop on some Abba and sing my head off, more than likely completely out of tune but I don’t care. Singing delivers oxygen to your brain, releases feel good hormones and they say helps with memory.

9 – Get boogieing – Dancing is a fantastic exercise, you can go for it and properly move around but simply swaying helps to loosen you up, release tension and gets you smiling.

10 – Our last tip is to realise that nothing in life is perfect (except a snowflake), you can’t be good at everything and sometimes stress can be caused by taking on too much, finding it hard to say no and being a perfectionist. Write everything down to get it out of your head, most times the simple action of writing a list makes you realise that you could delegate most jobs.

I hope these tips help you to relax. I know that lots of my lovely customers have struggled through personal lost, medical shocks and proper battles which cannot be helped by the above completely. I believe that if you talk about what is worrying you, sometimes someone close to you, or a friendly holistic therapist, can shed a different light, help you through it and be your support.

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