How to Slow Down and Relax When You Lead a Busy Lifestyle

It seems that in modern day society, we all lead such busy lifestyles. There is always that long list of things to do, whether it’s housework, a hectic job that never stops, or you’re a busy parent. It can sometimes be easy to forget to prioritise important factors, such as self-care, sleep, or relaxation. Each of these things are essential for positive wellbeing. It is important for us to prioritise relaxation, rather than seeing it as a luxury. We have listed some top tips below to support you to engage in the regular relaxation you deserve, despite leading a busy life.

Meditation and Breathwork

Meditation is a brilliant way to wind down and relax. It is a great habit to do to prepare you to feel as chilled out as possible before bed. Meditation focuses on your breathing. When we work on slow, deep breathing, this activates your parasympathetic nervous system and stimulates your vagus nerve. This makes your body and mind feel relaxed. If you make it a habit to meditate regularly, you are likely to notice a difference in how relaxed you feel. If you meditate in bed before you go to sleep, your brain will start to associate this relaxed, calm feeling with bed. The great thing about meditation and breathwork is that it can take just 10 minutes to successfully do each day. There are lots of brilliant apps that you can download for free to help you meditate.

Yoga and Light Exercise

Exercise is one of the most helpful things you can do to help you wind down and relax. Any form of exercise, no matter how small, can be a really positive step to help support your wellbeing. However, Yoga is a form of exercise that can be really beneficial to help you relax. Yoga reduces stress and focuses on your body, mind, and breath work. It’s a brilliant way to help improve your balance and sense of calmness. Yoga can release muscle tension, making your body feel relaxed, and can help mindfulness, which reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. Research Yoga classes in your local area. Many gyms offer classes for free if you are already a member. If you would prefer a quick session at home, there are lots of different sessions available on Youtube, starting from just 10 minutes.

Involve Relaxation in the Activities you Already Do

If you are pushed for time in a busy schedule, you can always incorporate relaxation into the things you already do. We often do things on autopilot without paying attention. By doing certain activities mindfully, you can incorporate relaxation into your daily routine. Being mindful involves paying attention to what you are doing and living in the moment. Our minds are often worrying about the future or ruminating about the past when we are completing tasks. Mindfulness helps our minds stop this and stay focused on the here and now. Daily activities that could be good to do mindfully include taking a shower or drinking your morning coffee. Pay attention to your senses during these activities and notice how the water feels on your skin or how the coffee tastes. You could also incorporate relaxation by playing relaxing music whilst completing these tasks.

Give Yourself Dedicated Relaxation Time

The issue with relaxation is that people often don’t prioritise it in their schedule. If you commit to something, you are much more likely to do it. We suggest setting aside time each week that you will dedicate to relaxation. It’s worth thinking about what things in your current life you could reduce or adapt to prioritise relaxation. Do you ever waste time on social media or spend longer than needed on a task? Don’t be afraid to say no to some activities that don’t add to your wellbeing. Whether it’s for an hour every weekend or a dedicated 20 minutes before bed each night, find a time slot that suits you and try your best to commit to it. Making relaxation part of your weekly routine will help empty your ‘stress bucket’. Everyone is an individual and what people find relaxing will differ from person to person, but some good ideas could be to catch up with a friend, read a book, or have a nice soak in the bath.

Invest in a Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep is such an important behaviour to help us relax. Where you sleep is also imperative. To maximise your sleep quality, investing in a good quality mattress is key. Here at Ely mattress, we take the wellbeing and relaxation of our customers seriously. We have created the very best mattresses with a whole range of benefits to give you the greatest chance of improving your sleep and relaxation. Check out our mattresses and their amazing benefits on our website.