Relaxation – it seems easy, but we all struggle with it. Struggling to rest at the end of a long day? Do you find yourself pacing, trying to catch up on chores or berating yourself for forgetting to do the food shop after work? Don’t worry; we’ve all been there! Evening relaxation is something most of us strive for yet often fail to obtain – with daily commitments and worries like work, studying and finances it can be hard to fully switch off and settle down for the night. But, with a good routine, you don’t have to bring your external stresses to bed with you. An added bonus? Creating an evening routine can be fun! To get you started, here are six easy tips to inspire a night of calm.
Reflect On the Day
Allowing yourself to rest is harder than it looks – especially if you feel your day hasn’t been particularly productive. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, anxious or worn-down by the time the evening comes around. Did I do enough today? Why was my boss moody this afternoon? Daily self-reflection is a brilliant way to quell a busy mind and create a sense of cumulative structure.
Whether you do this by recording your feelings in a diary or writing down five positive things you experienced, looking back on your day allows you to give yourself some well-deserved credit and set future goals. Forgot to do the washing today? That’s ok; you got a free coffee at work! Setting aside just 15 minutes an evening can make a massive change to your rest and wellness – but, most importantly, it sets a precedent for a relaxing evening.
Have A Personal Movie Night
The simplest things in life are usually the most comforting – hot chocolate, warm blankets, and soft pillows are the best examples that make every evening cosy and peaceful.
If you struggle to relax in the evening, try designating 30 – 60 minutes to watch your favourite TV show or movie with a warming drink. Put on your comfiest clothes, grab an (un-caffeinated!) tea or cocoa and pick something to watch that makes you feel tranquil. Feeling especially wired? Try sitting under a heated blanket or making a hot water bottle – the cosier, the better!
Creativity Is Key
Creativity has long offered a sense of serenity and calm. If TV or movies aren’t your ideas of relaxation, try setting aside some time every evening to work on a personal creative endeavour. The best part? Pretty much anyone can do this. You don’t have to be the next Monet to paint – just like you don’t have to be the next Westwood to sew! Giving yourself time to work on that painting or perfect that cookie recipe can be something to look forward to after a long day of work, looking after the children or studying. Not enough chocolate chips this time? That’s ok, tomorrow night you can work on them again – and look forward to eating some after dinner!
Calm Music For A Calm Mind
Music can have a deep impact on both the mind and body. Struggling to relax? Try listening to calming music an hour or so before you’re due to sleep.
The best part about incorporating music into your routine is that what you listen to is entirely up to you. Have a look at relaxation playlists, meditative songs or your favourite ballads to set you up for a restful slumber. Even better? Create your own playlist – you can also share it with a friend in need.
Bath, Bed & Beyond
It’s difficult to relax when you don’t feel good physically. Forming a good evening hygiene routine is vital in ensuring optimal relaxation – trying to rest while still in work clothes or wearing the day’s makeup never did anyone any good!
Before you bunk down for the evening, prioritise having a shower, washing your face and changing into clean, comfy clothes. Your routine doesn’t have to be lengthy or expensive – 15 minutes is all you need! If you do have time, why not treat yourself with a bubble bath?
Even better, try adding CBD oil to the water for alleviating stress or pain, relaxing your body and mind, moisturising the skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. You can also use ready-made CBD bath bombs for the best soak in a bath tube. CBD oil benefits will bring you in a perfect state to get a restful sleep while essential oils in the composition will do their wonders for your skin.
Rationing Electronics
While we love our screen time, it’s essential to exercise control when using electronics in the evening. After watching a film, catching up with a friend or listening to music, it’s vital to switch off all electronics around an hour before bed to ensure a good sleep. Finding yourself bored in the absence of Netflix and Spotify? Books are your new best friends! Reading offers a great escape for the mind and enables our eyes to rest before sleep – try setting yourself the goal of reading at least ten pages of a book before attempting to sleep.
Trial and test these tips until you find a combination that works for you. Remember, relaxation is all about practice – the more you incorporate it into your daily routine, the easier it becomes. Happy resting!
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