Top Tips to Help you Relax and Unwind
I’ve kept it no secret that I have been really struggling of late and just before things really went downhill I had been invited to talk about some ideas to uplift and bring about a feeling of wellbeing.
When trying to choose ideas to include in this post, I was thinking about things that might help calm me. Both Ash and I have noticed that I am very reactive around scents, so I incorporated that knowledge into my choices.
I’ve also tried to think about the fact that I and many have been struggling with sleep during the pandemic. So with those two points in mind, I came up with some products which could help soothe you to sleep and pep you up in the morning.
Relax and Unwind.
One of the hardest things right now can be relaxing and unwinding during the evening. The world right now is such a different place and while we have a pathway to reopening, it is hard to know how it will play out.
For me, once it gets dark and the world becomes quiet, my brain starts running at 1000 miles an hour. I struggle to shut it down and drift off.
Of course, there are simple things you can do to try and help unwind such as:
- Avoiding blue light before bed.
- Don’t drink caffeine of an evening.
- Make sure your bedroom is a relaxing and quiet environment to unwind in.
- Turn off technology an hour before bed.
- Keep a constant wake / sleep schedule.
- Have a relaxing bath or shower.
Of course, these are just a handful of ideas.
When it came to extra items I could add into my routine that might help uplift as well as care for myself. I decided to delve into products that enhanced the senses.
From beauty products, for help with looking after myself and caring for my skin, while also playing into the fact that I do respond to smells, so introducing ones which offer a calming environment.
One technique I quickly learned back in my time in hospital as a teen, was that playing music directly into my ears, was quite often more helpful than listening to it from speakers. It not only helped drown out outside noise but also helped quiet the chatter in my mind.
Rest the Senses.
There are many products you can use to rest the sense at the end of the day and it may take you a while to work out, what is best for you.
However, personally, I find that creating yourself a routine helps. From having a shower, or wash before bed to using a good cream or oil both on your face and body can help begin the process of unwinding. It also offers you a chance to do a bit of self-care.
As someone who struggles to often look after themselves, routing some self-care into my nightly routine has worked well. It not only means I’m doing one more thing to look after myself but I’m also going through the motions of trying to relax, using the senses of touch and smell.
Many brands, such as REN, offer sets that are aimed at night use. Personally, I really like their pillow mist which is perfect for anyone who finds the fragrance mix of Hops, Lavender and Frankincense to relax. However, with many blends on offer from different brands, it is worth trying different ones until you find a scent that helps calm you.
Alongside using a pillow spray, I’ve also found that using a balm that is applied to your pulse points helps too. In fact, you can sometimes find a spray and balm that work in unison.
With your skin calmed from the use of lotion and oils and washed from the rush of the day and your room filled with calming fragrance. It is time to think about sight and sound.
Unwind the Mind.
If you are someone who needs a dark place to sleep and likes some sort of noise. Be that relaxing music, an audiobook or relaxation tapes. Then a sleep mask with inbuilt audio may work well for you.
It not only helps cancel out any light but offers an adjustable audio via the inbuilt speakers. Meaning you can really adjust your environment to suit the amount of sound you like while cutting out background noise that may keep you awake.
Plus as I said further up the post, sometimes playing sound directly into your ears can help cut out those pesky thoughts rolling around in your head.
Hopefully using some of these ideas, alongside the more traditional techniques towards getting a better nights sleep will help you, as they have helped me at times.
However, what can you do if you have a bad night?
Well while the answer is on the whole not much. For me, I do carry on the idea of using scent to uplift.
Uplift with Scent.
After kicking off the day with another round of the skincare routine. I always like to finish it off with a spritz of perfume.
It doesn’t matter if I’m going to spend the day in bed or on the sofa, for me there is something uplifting about treating myself to a spray or two of fragrance.
In fact, I remember my Mum telling me it was something she always found helps her as well.
So go on, next time you wake up after a bad nights sleep, spray some of your favourite perfume and see how it helps you.
What is your favourite product to help you relax and unwind?
This post was written in collaboration with Very, however, all thoughts within are my own and honest.
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I don’t like silence either, not so much the dark as my mind can run fast during the day if I am just sitting there doing nothing. I find it so hard to relax because I am so restless. Music definitely helps me too hence why in the morning I plug my ears into music to stop my brain from chattering. It’s usually when I’m trying to figure out my day and there seems to be a lot of unticked boxes to do in my mind that gives me anxiety. Same at night too. Will definitely look into that built in speakers sleep mask.
Good tips! It is so important to make time to relax and unwind!
Definitely, I think we all need to spend some time to try and decompress.
I like the room to be completely dark so we have blinds as well as curtains, plus I also wear a sleep mask. The other thing that helps is having a large enough bed if you are sharing it with someone else, so you are not kept awake by someone else fidgetting.
I was gifted a pillow spray and pulse point set which was lovely and calming but didn’t help with sleep unfortunately. I’d still recommend trying them for relaxation.
I agree with the earphones, it really helps my daughter, not just on a night time but when we are out and about. I have yet to find any that I find comfortable on a night, I do have a nightmask with them built in to try
I have to admit I used to have headphones in when I went out when I was able to do it alone, it really helped.
I always find putting a nice smelling night cream on helps me relax
There’s some beautiful smelling night creams isn’t there!
I love using scented oils and perfumes to unwind after a hard day’s work.
Great tips which are needed as we all have been struggling in our own ways
good tips
really helpful to relax and sleep well
A very interesting post. I have nights when I don’t sleep at all, but at other times I sleep quite well . The nights when I don’t sleep are not too frequent but my mind starts thinking about ridiculous things that aren’t important at all. I miss my yoga classes but I do find reading helps me unwind, not a psychological thriller but something gentle and an easy read
It is crazy the things your brain goes around isn’t it when you can’t sleep – it is very strange.
Turn everything off and unwinding is important. Just relax your mind and try not to think about stuff too much.
Definitely, I think often we spend way to much time with technology in front of us.
I agree I think relaxing, taking some time off to unwind is so important especially during lockdown and it is something we all have been struggling. These gift ideas are a great source of inspiration
Definitely, I think everyone is feeling a bit on edge with everything going on in the world right now.
I’ve been trying to switch off before bed and it’s surprising just how much of a difference avoiding your phone or laptop for that final hour can make.
Definitely, I know if I work too late as well my brain stays spinning.
I too have been struggling lately. I liked this post, it has given me some ideas abs I hadn’t realised that like you too, aromas do make a difference to my mood. Thanks for the other tips too.
Your welcome I do hope they are helpful. It is amazing the difference scents can make!
The last few weeks have been such stress and I would be happy to rest my senses.
It is hard isn’t it – I think we’ve all got to a point it is just too far now.
Turning off technology is huge! I am so glad that the libraries are open again so I have actual books to read (not ebooks) to read before bed.
Oh, that is awesome that they are open for you again!
I’ve been doing yoga every morning and that really helps me unwind. I definitely recommend it.
That is amazing – Yoga can be so therapeutic can’t it?
We’ve cut out cups of tea after 5pm as found that the days we drank loads our brains (and bladders) were spinning in the evenings. Lots of people we know are struggling to shut off and sleep at night. Too many worries in the world. Definitely going to try some of these techniques x
I have to admit I drink one cup of caffeinated early in the day then switch to de-caf with tea – but try and drink a lot of squash – I struggle with plain water.
A good relax is everything! I definitely need to improve it!
Definitely, we all need to take some time and unwind and look after ourselves.
These are great tips and ideas to unwind, and will definitely do, and use some of these. Thank you!
I am glad they give you some ideas, I hope they help!
Fantastic tips. Relaxing and unwinding is so difficult at the moment. Thank you for sharing them! 🙂
It is really hard at the moment, with everything going on in the world isn’t it?
Such a great post as I think we all struggle at times, I now have a do not disturb sleep alarm on my phone. It means that I get no notifications and I get a very gentle wake up alarm in the morning
That sounds like such a good idea! I like the idea of having no distractions from my phone I’ll have to see if I have that!
Such a good tips and this is exactly what I need right now.
It is so hard to just try and relax at the moment isn’t it?
Thanks for this. I love using scented oils and perfumes to relax.
Oh that sounds nice, it is amazing how much a scented oil can help.
I agree that wearing your favorite perfume in a day affects your calmness..Glad you’ve mentioned it.
It is amazing how much it can uplift you, isn’t it? Got to love a good fragrance.
I really need to get better about shutting technology off way before I’m ready to go to bed.
It does help but I have to admit I’m not good at it myself either. It’s like my phone is glued to me.
Some brilliant tips! I could totally do with some time to relax and unwind a little right now!
It would be nice wouldn’t it – just some down time!
Some useful tips in here! I’m exactly the same I really struggle to sleep, I am definitely a night owl
It is hard isn’t it – I’m the same definitely a night owl!
I need to start using my lavender spray. I know this will help me sleep better.
They are well worth trying – play around with different ones until you find one which works for you.
I love pillow spray of lavender. I know caffeine was a problem in the past and now that I don’t drink it I sleep much better
They are amazing aren’t they – it’s nice to have a relaxing scent around as you try and drift off.
These are great tips to follow to help wind down after a hectic day. I rarely take a bath at night but a warm shower always relaxes me.
I can only have showers and you can get some lovely shower bombs now which really help you de-stress.
These are some great ways to unwind. I have found that having an evening routine helps me so much, almost as much as having a good morning routine.
I hope you’re beginning to feel a little better x
I think having a routine can be vital in some ways – gets your body used to when it should start winding down.
I love your ideas. I do love relaxing. I normally read before bed and that helps me get to sleep.
I always used to read before bed and it was such a big help. Now sadly I struggle to read and audiobooks just aren’t the same.
A comprehensive and interesting list. Thank you. A relaxing treat for me, particularly in winter, is a Lush bath bomb in a long, hot bath. Rather pricey these days but nobody does fresher and better bath bombs than Lush. I like their animal welfare ethics, too.
I used to love a good bath bomb in the bath, I’m using shower ones now but it isn’t quite the same but they do smell amazing!
I love a cool, dark room, I personally use the Soap Story’s Body and Pillow, Sleepie, mist, which is Lavender, Patchouli, Chamomile, Listea Cubea and Eucalyptus Essential Oils, they also have it in soap sponge form and bath bomb. I have also ditched my duvet and just use my fleece duvet cover on it’s own and pillow case on my pillow, my brother and his partner bought it for us, for Christmas, it’s from Sainsbury’s. I love the cuddly feel of it, reminds me of a warm hug. My partner has his own duvet! I really want to try a weighed blanket at some point, but so many mixed reviews.
OK, I am going to have to check out the soap sponge! I used one years ago and it was so simple to use, but one in that scent. I think I do need it! I was lucky my parents treated me to one and it’s actually been really good, I have to be careful how I use it as I am very claustrophobic and I’ve found when my hip is really bad it can’t take the weight but it does help me relax!